cekeepers were killed, and another seven are missing. MINUSTAH troops worked through the night to reach those under the debris. So far, several badly injured people have been retrieved and transported to the MINUSTAH logistics base, which remains largely operational. However, in several places along the base perimeter, desperate Haitians are seeking access in search of medical help, shelter or food.
Clearly this crisis rivals, if not exceeds, the disaster of 2008 when a series of hurricanes devastated the island, and already the international community is mobilizing. MINUSTAH has approximately 3,000 troops and police in and around Port-au-Prince to help maintain order and assist in relief efforts. MINUSTAH engineers have also begun clearing some of the main roads in Port-au-Prince, which will allow assistance and rescuers to reach those in need.
Staff from the United Nations agencies, funds and programmes and from MINUSTAH’s offices at the Christopher Hotel have regrouped at the Mission’s logistics base near the airport, where they will begin the critical task of coordinating the incoming international relief effort.
The most urgent need is emergency search and rescue. A Chinese team has arrived in Port-au-Prince; at least two United States teams will arrive by this evening, and two more tomorrow morning. Additional search-and-rescue teams are reported to be arriving from Guadeloupe and the Dominican Republic, and still others are on their way from many countries that have sprung into action.
Let me say that I am very grateful, on behalf of the United Nations and on Haiti’s behalf, for these urgent efforts. Clearly, a major relief effort will be required. In any emergency like this, the early hours and days are critical. That is why I have directed the United Nations humanitarian agencies to mobilize swiftly and in close coordination with the international community.
In the next few days, we will issue a flash appeal for Haiti. I expect my humanitarian coordinators to perform the necessary assessment of needs and funding as quickly as possible and report back to me at once. It is already clear that there will be major needs in the areas of medical care, food, clean water and shelter.
In the meantime, I have ordered $10 million to be released from the Central Emergency Response Fund, or CERF, to kick-start our response. Throughout the evening and this morning, I have been in touch with key world leaders to make sure that our response will be well-coordinated, effective and, above all, immediate.
Just before meeting with you this afternoon, I spoke with President Barack Obama of the United States. He assured me that the United States Government will ensure all possible assistance as soon as possible to help overcome this crisis.
I am also in close touch with my Special Envoy for Haiti, President Bill Clinton, who |
