UN reiterates its solidarity with the Haitian people and government

United Nations, August 22 (RHC)-- The Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina Mohammed, expressed on Friday the solidarity of the multilateral organization towards the Haitian people and government after visiting the most affected areas of the country following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake of last August 14th.

During her 48-hour visit to Haiti, the UN official met with Prime Minister Ariel Henry, representatives of social organizations, and directors of Civil Protection, the institution leading the search and rescue of victims after the earthquake that has left around 2,200 dead.

Upon her arrival to the Caribbean country, Amina Mohammed pointed out that the UN will continue collaborating and supporting the efforts to allow a recovery of the island led by Henry's government.

Mohammed assured that the situation Haiti is going through after the earthquake offers an opportunity to forge greater national cohesion, although she pointed out that 'it will require investing in long-term development and supporting the Government's leadership'.

Accompanied by Achim Steiner, Administrator of the UN Development Program, he visited the Department of the South, particularly affected by the earthquake, where they met with earthquake victims in Les Cayes and visited the Immaculate Conception Hospital. 

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurred in the midst of a socio-political crisis that reached its peak with the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse on July 7th.

According to the balance of the Haitian authorities, more than 77 thousand houses collapsed in the South, Nippes and Grand Anse departments, and another 53 thousand suffered minor and serious damages, while 127 schools, 60 churches and places of worship, as well as 25 sanitary structures were destroyed.

The Haitian government estimates that 600,000 people out of 138,000 families are in urgent need of humanitarian aid.