March 19, 2009, Rome/Santo Domingo – The First Lady of the Dominican Republic, Margarita Cedeño de Fernández has announced a mega-concert in Santo Domingo next October in support of FAO's work in rural communities in Haiti featuring some of the world's top music stars.

The concert will be held in the city's Olympic Stadium on World Food Day, 16 October 2010. FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf will also take part in the event.

Cedeño de Fernández was honoured with the title of Extraordinary Ambassador by FAO last year in recognition of the numerous social development projects in food and agriculture she has undertaken in her own country and in particular those benefiting women.

The Dominican Republic, which shares the same island, Hispaniola, with Haiti, was at the forefront of rescue efforts for its neighbour following the January 2010 earthquake that killed more than 220 000 people.

The line-up of the October concert in Santo Domingo has yet to be confirmed but will also feature some of the FAO Goodwill Ambassadors.

The funds raised from the concert will go towards FAO projects in Haiti.

The Dominican Republic will also seek support from the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council of the African Union, as well as from Jean Ping, Chairperson of the African Union Commission, who has spoken tirelessly on behalf of African support for the earthquake victims in Haiti.

Cedeño de Fernández will also be inviting Spouses, heads of international organizations, international celebrities and artists to take part in this event.