Prime Minister George Papandreou on Thursday voiced support for and solidarity with the people of Haiti following a devastating earthquake that struck "one of the poorest countries of the planet".

Speaking at the start of a crucial Inner Cabinet meeting on the economy, Papandreou called on his ministers to do everything possible, each in his own area of authority, for immediate Greek assistance to Haiti.

Papandreou also recalled that Haiti had been the first country, in 1822, to acknowledge the Greek Revolution (against Ottoman rule), while adding that the latest developments "come to remind us that we do not live alone in this world".

Greeks in Haiti 'safe and well'

The foreign ministry is in constant contact with the Greek embassy in Caracas (Venezuela), Greece's closest diplomatic mission from earthquake-devastated Haiti, 14 of the 15 Greeks reported to be in the country were all safe and well in health, deputy foreign minister Spyros Kouvelis said on Thursday, adding that he had made contact with them, while the 15th Greek citizen was on a cruise and it was not known whether he had been in Haiti at the time of the quake.

On Wednesday, after the news of the earthquake broke, Kouvelis said immediately contacted international organisations with access to the island and able to provide assistance, including the World Food Organisation, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF), adding that financial aid has also been dispatched.

Kouvelis explained that the idea of attempting to send a direct dispatch of aid was rejected, given the distance and the conditions prevailing in Haiti, which rendered such a contribution by Greece unfeasible.

The deputy minister also appealed to all organisations or volunteer groups wishing to help to contact the foreign ministry for better coordination.

Finally, citizens seeking information on their relatives or others in Haiti or to give information on Greeks in Haiti for tourism or for trade purposes may call the ministry at 210-3681212, 210-3681730, and 210-3681350.