UN chief urges nations to consider deploying forces to help Haiti
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has today urged all UN member states to take part in an international force to help Haiti before the next earthquake wreaks more damage.
In a report to the Council of Ministers, the ICRC said that all 10 of its member countries could raise about $300 million to set up a national search and rescue and rehabilitation effort in 2010.
This is more than $1 million more than the amount needed to tackle natural disaster by the year 2010, and is four times the current UN estimate of $90 million.
The international community cannot afford to let Haiti continue to suffer in any way as the world awaits the start of the new financial year.
“The United Nations has a major role to play in helping Haiti cope with the 2010 earthquake and its aftershocks,” said Mr. Jules Mombéne, Executive Director of the International Committee of the Red Cross.
“We have heard many people talk about how Haiti has got itself into a terrible position.
“The people of Haiti need our help more than ever.
“It is essential that all UN member states mobilise every possible instrument at their disposal to help Haiti in its hour of need and to save thousands of lives.”
The ICRC had already been calling for immediate deployment of several UN peace keeping mechanisms to Haiti, but the ICRC report urges the world to step up its efforts to bring in an international force before the next earthquake hits.
If a detergent used by the Red Cross in Haiti was the catalyst for the current earthquake then it is time to use it again. The Red Cross should consider using the same powerful weapon – the Red Cross Disaster Relief Tool kit – to help Haiti in its hour of need.
While the people of Haiti are reeling from the effects of the January earthquake, the Red Cross and other relief and development organisations have to bear the consequences of their failure to plan and