UN deputy chief praises resilience of Haiti’s people, says ‘incredible’ relief effort underway |

Deputy Secretary-Normal Amina Mohammed flew to Haiti yesterday night to specific the UN’s unwavering help to the Haitian folks following the earthquake that devastated the nation six days in the past.

The variety of affected folks continues to climb within the aftermath of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Haiti’s southern peninsula on 14 August. Greater than 2,100 folks have been reported killed, and 10,000 others injured up to now.

The quake was adopted by Tropical Storm Grace, which induced flooding within the quake-affected areas. Based on authorities, an estimated 600,000 folks want humanitarian help.

Throughout her mission, Ms. Mohammed met with affected communities within the earthquake-damaged metropolis of Les Cayes.

“I noticed as soon as once more the unimaginable resilience of the Haitian individuals who have suffered a lot and at the moment are mobilized to help their neighbours and communities within the aftermath of the earthquake.” she stated.

She added: “We stand right here in solidarity with Haiti and are in awe on the unimaginable work the nationwide authorities and the UN companies are doing to assist in these troublesome occasions”, she stated.

Phrases of encouragement

Upon her arrival final evening, Ms. Mohammed met with Prime Minister Ariel Henry and reiterated the UN’s help for the struggling Authorities.

Accompanied by Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UN Improvement Programme (UNDP), in addition they met with the UN Nation Staff, in addition to with members of civil society.

They visited the South Division, which was notably affected by the quake, met with folks impacted in Les Cayes and visited the Immaculate Conception Hospital.  

The deputy UN chief supplied phrases of encouragement to nationwide and worldwide staff working alongside nationwide establishments.

Solidarity, hope and classes for the long run 

Ms. Mohammed stated there have been classes to be learnt from the 2010 earthquake to do issues in a different way in order that Haiti can get well higher. This, she underlined, “would require investing in long-term improvement and supporting Authorities management”.  

UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner stated, “What I’ve seen on this go to is devastating — a lot destruction and struggling. And but, on the similar time I’ve seen the solidarity and hope of the Haitian folks within the face of such a tragedy.” 

He pressured: “Haiti wants our help on this vital second. The UN Improvement Programme will do its utmost to help the folks of Haiti on this hour of want in addition to within the ongoing restoration and reconstruction.” 

UN on the bottom  

In the meantime, the UN Kids’s Fund (UNICEF) are on the ground, working with companions to ship urgently wanted provides, together with drugs, protected water and tarpaulins, at the same time as flooding and mudslides hamper reduction efforts. 

And the ECOSOC Ad Hoc Advisory Group expressed its solidarity with the folks of Haiti and referred to as on the worldwide group to “stay collectively engaged” in addressing each speedy humanitarian wants and the nation’s “long-term sustainable improvement”. 

It solely took ‘a number of seconds’ 

Marianela González of the World Meals Programme (WFP) was in Port au Prince when the earthquake shook southern Haiti.  

She stated that “it took a number of seconds to appreciate what was truly taking place, however in these seconds lots of of individuals had died”.  

Even earlier than the quake, WFP has been supporting greater than 200,000 individuals who can not afford even one meal per day.  

“The earthquake occurred underneath the identical folks, the roof fell on the identical folks, and Tropical Storm Grace rained on the identical folks in Les Cayes, Jérémie and lots of different communities the place the injury and wishes had been additionally seen”, stated the WFP official.  

One other layer of disaster 

Ms. González described the earthquake as “a layer of disaster on high of a for much longer and far deeper disaster in Haiti”.  

In the meantime, WFP continues to distribute sizzling meals in hospitals, money and logistical capability to help humanitarian and medical help.  

“Undoubtedly laborious to be right here in the present day and enter these hospitals, to see folks on the streets with out roof to sleep underneath, particularly youngsters”, she stated. “However we’re right here, and it’s a privilege and a accountability”.  

Give attention to humanitarian wants 

Earler within the day, the Secretary-Normal’s Affiliate Spokesperson, Eri Kaneko, knowledgeable journalists at a each day media briefing that the UN Deputy Emergency Reduction Coordinator Ramesh Rajasingham will go to the nation on Monday to attract worldwide consideration to the rising humanitarian wants following Saturday’s devastating earthquake. 

Throughout three days of subject visits, he is scheduled to have interaction with internally displaced folks, native authorities and nationwide and worldwide responders.  

Mr. Rajasingham can also be anticipated to fulfill nationwide authorities and diplomatic representatives in Port-au-Prince.