A woman walks through a
flooded market in
Port au Prince. Photo: Logan Abassi/MINUSTAH
UN
News – Pledging the full support of the United Nations in rebuilding efforts, Secretary-General
Ban Ki-moon offers his condolences to the millions of people who have been
severely affected by Hurricane Sandy – above all those who lost loved ones or
their homes across a wide arc of destruction encompassing the United States and
the Caribbean region, his spokesperson said today.
“The
Secretary-General has written to President Obama, and has spoken to the
Presidents of Haiti and the Dominican Republic
and Mayor Bloomberg of New York City ,
to express his solidarity at this time of crisis and to pledge the assistance
of the United Nations, if requested, in the recovery effort,” the spokesperson
said in a note to the media.
“He
also intends to speak with other Caribbean leaders and with the Governors of New York and New
Jersey ,” the spokesperson added. “The Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has mobilized to provide maximum
possible assistance.”
Described
in some media reports as a “once in a generation” storm, Hurricane Sandy has
reportedly killed more than 120 people, and caused billions of dollars in
damage, in addition to crippling New York City.
Earlier
today, an OCHA official said that over a million people in Haiti are facing food insecurity as a result of
the hurricane, which ploughed through the Caribbean nation before wreaking
havoc along the east coast of the United States earlier this week.
Hurricane
Sandy ’s arrival, and its effects, in New York City , where the
United Nations is headquartered, led to the world body’s offices being closed
for an unprecedented three days straight, with most meetings cancelled, before
re-opening today.
The
UN complex also sustained damage due to high wind and flooding, which affected
communications and other infrastructure.
“Despite
disruptions, all essential operations went ahead, including a meeting of the
Security Council, and contacts with peacekeeping and other missions around the
world were maintained without interruption,” the spokesperson noted, adding
that UN Headquarters is expected to be back at full capacity “shortly.”
“The
Secretary-General notes that when the host country is hit by a natural disaster,
the UN family suffers as well. Like our neighbours in the metropolitan area, UN
staff members have been affected in various ways by the storm,” the
spokesperson stated.
He
further highlighted the Secretary-General’s thanks to UN staff for pressing ahead
with their work even as they tend to their families' needs, and the UN chief’s
encouragement of staff to contribute to relief efforts by volunteering or
making financial donations.
“At
this time of crisis, the Secretary-General’s thoughts and prayers are with all
those in need. He pledges the full support of the United Nations in rebuilding
today, strengthening global disaster risk reduction, and preparing the world
for a safer tomorrow,” the spokesperson said.
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