Statement on Haiti Earthquake

The powerful earthquake that rocked Haiti Tuesday 12 January 2010 is indeed a major disaster and unparalleled event for the people of Haiti. The headquarters of the UN Mission in Port-au-Prince (MINUSTAH) has been seriously damaged and several UN staff members are reported missing. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for DRC, Mr. Alan Doss and the whole staff of MONUC are deeply saddened by the tragic event and express solidarity with Haitian colleagues of MONUC and Congolese colleagues of MINUSTAH. During this most painful ordeal, MONUC staff pray and will continue to pray for Haitian people, colleagues and their families.

For your information, MINUSTAH has been in Haiti since 2004; it has 11,000 staff members or so including 7,000 troops, 2,000 police and civilian staff. This is a major tragedy for both the country and the UN community.