Caribbean L 6 ife, January 24-30, 2020
Rescuers search through a United Nations building destroyed by the earthquake
which struck Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. United Nations
Haiti earthquake
victims honored
By Nelson A. King
The United Nations on Friday honored
more than 200,000 Haitians who
perished in the devastating earthquake
that struck the French-speaking Caribbean
country 10 years ago.
In a solemn ceremony of remembrance,
at UN headquarters in New
York, the global organization also honored
102 staffers who died in the earthquake
on Jan. 12, 2010.
The UN said the death of its staffers
was “the single greatest loss of life in
its history.
At the wreath-laying on Friday, UN
Secretary-General António Guterres
said Haitians had been starting a new
year with optimism, but “in a few seconds,
their hopes turned to dust.”
“I will never forget the shock and
sadness across the world and throughout
the United Nations as the scale of
the tragedy became clear”, he said.
Guterres said although Jan. 12, 2010
was “one of the darkest days in its history,”
Haiti “drew on the courage and
determination of its people and the
assistance of its many friends.
“Roads were cleared, homes were
rebuilt, schools were reopened, businesses
got back to work,” he said.
The UN chief took a moment in his
speech to reflect on several aspects of
the UN’s effort in Haiti that had caused
more harm than good, recalling the
cholera epidemic that began in 2010,
widely believed to have been imported
by peacekeepers.
“Among the many challenges, the
United Nations deeply regrets the loss
of life and suffering caused by the cholera
epidemic,” he said. “I welcome the
significant progress that has been made
towards eliminating the disease.
“We are also committed to resolving
pending cases of sexual exploitation and
abuse”, Guterres added.
He also noted the lack of progress in
terms of Haiti’s economic, political and
social development, stating that “a crisis
of leadership” in recent months has
thrown the nation into turmoil.
“Today, insecurity and slow economic
growth are contributing to rising social
tensions and a deteriorating humanitarian
situation,” Guterres said. “I urge
Haitians to resolve their differences
through dialogue and to resist any escalation
that could reverse the gains of
the past decade.”
He said the new Integrated Office
in Haiti (BINUH), which replaced the
15-year peacekeeping operation. and
the 19 agencies, funds and programs
present in the country, “will continue
to work in partnership with the Haitian
people on their path to recovery and
prosperity.”
Before the ceremony, the UN chief
visited what he described as “the moving
new memorial”, entitled, “A Breath”,
which now sits within UN headquarters
in midtown Manhattan, having arrived
from Port-au-Prince.
“I thank the sculptor, Davide Dormino,
and everyone who helped to transport
it,” he said. “I was particularly
impressed by the inclusion of rubble
from the Hotel Christopher, where so
many of our colleagues perished.”