The Organization of American States (OAS) voiced its solid support for Haiti, calling on all the American countries to offer an immediate assistance to the country, after it was struck by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake Tuesday.

"It is at such times that people, governments and leaders across the hemisphere, as neighbors and friends of the people of Haiti, should show solidarity and support in a real effective and immediate manner," said OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza in a statement late on Tuesday.

The OAS will "do everything within our means to support the victims of this catastrophic phenomenon," said Insulza.

The OAS is the world's oldest regional organization headquartered in Washington., D.C., the United States. It currently has 35 member states of the Americas, including Haiti.

(Xinhua News Agency January 14, 2010)