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UN-INSTRAW expresses condolences to earthquake victims and their families |
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The management and staff of UN-INSTRAW would like to express their
heartfelt condolences to the victims of the terrible earthquake in
Haiti and to their families.
It is with great sorrow that we follow the situation in our neighbouring country, a country where UN-INSTRAW has been collaborating with personnel and projects, especially in the area of gender and security. We are extremely concerned by the humanitarian impact of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
Many UN staff members are still missing and we have lost colleagues and friends. They will be forever in our memories, and our thoughts go out to their families.
The international humanitarian community is mobilizing its resources urgently to provide assistance to those people who have been affected by this disaster, in support of the Government of Haiti’s response efforts.
Today Haiti needs all possible help from the international community to relieve the immediate suffering. In addition, continuous global support to reconstruct the country will be imperative, with particular attention directed towards the most vulnerable populations, women and children, both in the processes of emergency response and during reconstruction.
In disasters, women have special needs that should be taken into account by the international community and the Haitian Government; women are also especially vulnerable in post-disaster situations. Among the health risks for women of reproductive age are limitations in access to pre-natal and post-natal care, as well as greater risks of vaginal infections and pregnancy complications, including spontaneous abortion, unplanned pregnancy, and post-traumatic stress.
Studies conducted by UN-INSTRAW have shown that violence against women may increase in situations of natural disasters and during post-disaster recuperation.
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, said after his visit to Port-au-Prince:
“As we rush to Haiti's aid, let us keep in mind this larger picture. Those people on the streets of Port-au-Prince asked for jobs, dignity and a better future. That is the hope of all the world's poor. Doing the right thing for Haiti in its hour of need will be a powerful message of hope for them as well.”
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