UN honours 200,000 Haitians who died in 2010 earthquake
The United Nations on Friday honoured
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 organisation also honoured 102 staffers
who died in the earthquake on January 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 January 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.
Many challenges
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. 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 said, noting the lack
of progress in terms of Haiti’s economic, political and social development. He
said that “a crisis of leadership” in recent months has thrown the nation into
turmoil.