UN Observes 10th Anniversary of Catastrophic Haitian Earthquake

UN Secretary-General Antonio Gueterres delivers a video message to the audience at the UN event commemorating the 10th anniversary of the 2010 Haitian Earthquake.                                           

On January 15, 2020, more than 300 people from diplomatic missions, various United Nations agencies and NGOs, local media and the general public in Geneva attended a special United Nations celebration of the 10th anniversary of the earthquake that decimated Haiti and killed more than 200,000 people in January. 12, 2010. The event, held at the Palais des   Nations, also commemorated the 102 United Nations personnel who died in the earthquake.

After an introduction, a video message from UN Secretary-General   Antonio Guterres offered his continued support for relief and reconstruction efforts in Haiti. Representatives from OCHA, the United Nations Office in Geneva also offered words of support.

Ambassador Pierre André Dunbar of the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the United Nations delivered an inspiring speech offering his gratitude to the various actors who have worked diligently in Haiti before and since the earthquake, and called on participants to support new economic development initiatives and improving civil society and ongoing relief efforts.

Representatives of the European Union, States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and diplomatic missions of Trinidad & Tobago, Brazil, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia and Japan paid tribute to the victims of the quake .

A minute of silence was offered to pay tribute to the victims of the earthquake. The United Nations Choir in Geneva and the Haitian artist Lucia Chery entertained the audience with inspiring musical numbers.   A reception for all attendees followed the event.