Credit: Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times /  Jan. 17,  2020.  United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres at the  wreath-laying ceremony at UN world headquarters in New York  for 200,000 Haitians who died in massive earthquake ten years ago.

 By Gary Raynaldo         DIPLOMATIC TIMES

UNITED NATIONS  –  NEW YORK –   More than 200,000 Haitians who died in the devastating earthquake which struck the island nation ten years ago, were honoured in a solemn ceremony of remembrance at UN Headquarters in New York on Friday, along with 102 staffers who died – the single greatest loss of life in the Organization’s history. Haitians had been starting a new year with optimism, recalled UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the wreath-laying Friday but “in a few seconds, their hopes turned to dust.”  The UN Chief added: “I will never forget the shock and sadness across the world and throughout the United Nations as the scale of the tragedy became clear”.  The massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti was the most devastating natural disaster ever experienced in the Caribbean nation, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.

Credit:  Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times /  Jan. 17,  2020.  United Nations wreath-laying ceremony at world headquarters in New York  for 200,000 Haitians who died in massive earthquake in 2010.

Credit: Wikipedia Commons /  National Palace collapses in  Port Au Prince,  Haiti after devastating earthquake Jan. 10, 2010.

Credit: Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times /  Jan. 17,  2020.  United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres speaks at the somber wreath-laying ceremony at UN world headquarters in New York  for 200,000 Haitians who died in massive earthquake ten years ago.

DIPLOMATIC TIMES Video /  Jan. 17,  2020.  United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres speaks at the  wreath-laying ceremony at UN world headquarters in New York  for 200,000 Haitians who died in massive earthquake ten years ago.

The UN chief took a moment in his speech to reflect on several aspects of the UN’s effort in Haiti that had caused more harm than good, recalling the cholera epidemic which began in 2010, widely believed to have been imported by peacekeepers.

“Among the many challenges, the United Nations deeply regrets the loss of life and suffering caused by the cholera epidemic. I welcome the significant progress that has been made towards eliminating the disease. We are also committed to resolving pending cases of sexual exploitation and abuse”.

-UN Secretary General Guterres. 

He also noted the lack of progress in terms of Haiti’s economic, political and social development, with a crisis of leadership in recent months throwing the nation into turmoil: “Today, insecurity and slow economic growth are contributing to rising social tensions and a deteriorating humanitarian situation.   “I urge Haitians to resolve their differences through dialogue and to resist any escalation that could reverse the gains of the past decade.”

Credit: Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times /  Jan. 17,  2020. Patrick Saint-Hilaire, Chargé d’affaires at the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the United Nations, addresses the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of the 12 January 2010 Haiti Earthquake.

 Patrick Saint-Hilaire  Chargé d’affaires of Haiti’s UN Mission said the courageous people of Haiti were still “paying deeply” for the “adversity that has befallen Haiti” since then.  The Haitian ambassador thanked the UN  and all who rallied around Haiti after the disaster in solidarity.  The ambassador said now it falls upon all Haitians to rebuild the nation and work for peace in the country.

 “It is up to us Haitians, first and foremost, to take responsibility for our current challenges and to take the necessary initiative to improve the state of our nation. Today, however, more than ever, our country needs to continue to forge solidarity, national and international, concrete and consistent with the aspirations of the Haitian people.”

-Patrick Saint-Hilaire, Chargé d’affaires at the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the UN.

DIPLOMATIC TIMES  Video /   Patrick Saint-Hilaire, Chargé d’affaires at the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the United Nations, addresses the commemoration of the tenth anniversary of Haiti Earthquake.

DIPLOMATIC TIMES  Video /  Syed Akbaruddin, India’s Ambassador & Permanent Representative to the United Nations pays tribute to 200,000 Haitians who died in 2010 earthquake at the wreath laying ceremony at UN world headquarters in New York Jan. 17, 2020

Credit: Gary Raynaldo /  ©Diplomatic Times /  Jan. 17,  2020.   (Left) Ambassador Cherith Norman Acting Deputy Permanent Representative U.S. Mission to the United Nations,  (center) France  ambassador Nicolas de Rivière,  (top rear)  Christoph Heusgen , Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations, at  Haiti earthquake wreath laying ceremony.