UN coordinates Haiti relief efforts
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks at the General Assembly's Emergency Session on Haiti. Photo: UN Photo/Paulo Filgueiras
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told the General Assembly that there is a desperate need for food, water, first aid, and shelter. Mr. Ban said there are currently 3000 UN personnel in Haiti who will take part in the search and rescue effort. He said 15 UN staff members are confirmed dead, but the number is likely to rise.
UN Special Envoy to Haiti Bill Clinton commended the UN’s efforts and called on all donors to support the UN’s coordinating role in order to avoid logistical chaos.
It’s important that organisations that operate in the immediate aftermath of a natural disaster can get to work right away. Norway contributes NOK 325 million (USD 58 million) to CERF in 2010 precisely to strengthen the UN’s ability to deal with natural disasters of this magnitude. A portion of Norway’s donations to CERF will now be used to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people.
Source: Norway Mission to the UN
