A massive earthquake which struck Haiti on Tuesday evening, could leave a large amount of casualties for UN peacekeepers serving in the capital city, Port-au-Prince. The earthquake which measured a magnitude of 7.0, brought with it as least 30 aftershocks.”]
Ban Ki Moon, the United Nations Secretary General said that there is widespread devastation in the capital and water and electricity have collapsed entirely. According to the Secretary General, a major relief effort is required and he expressed his gratitude to those countries that had moved swiftly to provide assistance. Major humanitarian assistance is now needed for Haiti and he urged all of the international community to come to that country’s aid.
While Ban Ki Moon did not put a figure on the number of casualties sustained by the UN peace keeping force, he indicated that he had not yet been able to contact his Special Representative or the Deputy Special Representative.
Some news reports have put the number of casualties from the UN peacekeeping force at eleven. However, individual countries are also reporting on their peacekeeping forces in Haiti. Brazil, Jordan and China all have peacekeepers on the ground.
It is being confirmed too that, the UN Headquarters at which some 200-250 peacekeepers are located collapsed in Haiti.
The United Nations will release initially some $10 million immediately from the Central Emergency Relief Fund to support relief efforts in Haiti, said Ban Ki Moon. Also, an Assistant Secretary General and Former Special Representative would be dispatched to Haiti to help coordinate relief efforts in the country.
A UN emergency response team is also on its way to the Haiti.
The United States is sending in a number of rescue teams to help coordinate assistance to Haiti.
