Ban Ki-moon scolds over Haiti repairs

The chief of the United Nations today scolded the wealthy nations around the world for not paying as much or as fast and he would have liked for the repairs in Haiti.

It was just a year ago that a huge earthquake struck the Caribbean nation.

Today, some 100 U.N. staffers and diplomats gathered at a peace chapel adjoining the General Assembly to note the anniversary.

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Ban, the secretary-general, revealed that he was troubled by the situation.

"As we honor the dead, we honor the Haitians who struggle in difficult conditions. The workers from all over the world helping Haiti rebuild, from the many donors giving aid, let us be realistic … The road ahead will be long and hard. Haiti's streets are still full of rubble. Schools, hospitals and civic infrastructure all have yet to be rebuilt. To be frank, reconstruction has been slow, international aid and investment has not come as fast as promised," he said.

Recent reports reveal that more than 90 percent of the rubble in the nation's biggest city, Port-au-Prince, remains where it fell. And there are estimates that a cholera epidemic has claimed some 2,000 lives and still remains out of control.

Estimates now are that the earthquake and its aftershocks, including the cholera infestation, have cost more than 250,000 lives.

Ban reflected on how much changed in so short a time.

"Forty seconds is not a long time. Every day I see the faces of our fallen colleagues, I see their voices in my memory. Today. we gather in solidarity with the people of Haiti and with all who lost their loved ones on that tragic day. To the families of the 102 of our fallen colleagues, to all of those who suffered injuries, both physical and emotional we offer our deepest sympathy," he said.

He said the progress is slow, but it is there.

"The cholera epidemic shows no sign of abating. Yet, we are making progress. … The amount of people in refugee camps remains the same as it was in the peak of the emergency. We need to provide clean water to more than 1 million people every day. We need to provide food to more than 2 million every month. We are providing security and helping the government get back on its feet. And, despite the slow start, recovery and reconstruction is beginning in earnest."

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He asked for continued support.

"On the sad and solemn occasion, I want to say the United Nations and the entire international community will stand by the people of Haiti in its darkest hours. … Together we will walk with them towards a brighter future. In life, we are measured by the company we keep, by the walk we all do together, in the memory of our fallen comrades let us pledge that we all seek to rebuild a better Haiti. "

The U.N. campaign regarding Haiti long has been troubled. Six months ago, WND reported that the U.N. said relief efforts were faltering.

At that time, the appeal for money had attracted promises of more than $6 billion, but only $3.5 billion had arrived.

That was set against the estimates of almost $8 billion – and counting – in damages.

At that time, the U.N. also reported:

• More than 300,000 required first aid or hospitalization
• More than 50 percent of all the hospitals in Haiti were destroyed
• 2.3 million people have been displaced
• 1.5 million people still need some shelter
• 400,000 currently need medical attention
• 60 percent of all government buildings in Port-au-Prince were destroyed
• 188,000 homes were damaged
• 105,000 homes collapsed
• 23 percent of all schools in Haiti were destroyed, 80 percent in Port-au-Prince.

The toll also includes more than 100 U.N. staff members who died when their building collapsed.

It was the single worst loss of staff in United Nations history.