UN Response to the 2010 Haitian Earthquake
Resource Sheet

January 22, 2010

Background: The UN in Haiti before the Earthquake

• United Nations involvement in Haiti began in February 1993 with a joint civilian mission with the Organization of American States (OAS) and in 1994, the Security Council authorized a stronger force charged with re-establishing government that was followed by multiple peacekeeping missions from 1994 to 2001.
  
  
• In 2000, President Jean-Betrand Aristide and the Fanmi Lavalas party claimed victory in disputed presidential and parliamentary elections. By 2003, a united opposition movement began calling for the President’s resignation. Intervention from The Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Canada, the European Union (EU), France, the Organization of American States (OAS), and the United States, resulted in two plans that called for a new cabinet, but allowed President Aristide to serve out the rest of his term. The opposition refused to back the plan.
  
  
• In early 2004 armed conflict spread to many areas of the country and resulted in the fleeing of President Aristide. The interim President then requested international troops and by the end of February 2004, the Security Council authorized a United Nations Stabilization Force. In March 2004, Security Council established a multifaceted operation, known as the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). The mandate consisted of assisting the transitional government in ensuring overall stability, protecting civilians, restructuring and reforming the Haitian National Police, demobilizing armed groups, and monitoring the human rights.

Damage Report: The UN in Haiti After the Earthquake

• On January 12th, 2010 a devastating earthquake struck Haiti destroying the UN headquarters and killing hundreds of the roughly 9,000 UN peacekeeping troops and UN civilian staff stationed there. Total death toll estimates range between 100,000 and 200,000.
  
  
• In addition to the casualties, vital infrastructure necessary to respond to the disaster including hospitals, transportation facilities, and communications systems were severely damaged or destroyed.
  
  
• Among the dead were the UN's chief of mission, Hédi Annabi, and his deputy, Luiz Carlos da Costa, and the mission's acting police commissioner, Doug Coates of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

UN Response

• On January 19th, 2010, the United Nations Security Council adopted resolution 1908 that authorized an increase of troops and police supporting the UN mission to provide security in Port-au-Prince and beyond, while food is being distributed.
  
  
• UN agencies such as the World Food Program (WFP) and The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) are distributing health kits, water, and food. Within days of the devastating quake the WFP had reached over 250,000 people with food rations that would last a number of days. The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is offering expertise in protection, camp management, site planning and coordination.
  
  
• The World Health Organization (WHO) is leading the coordination of the health sector response to the earthquake., while UNICEF has established welcome centers where children, particularly unaccompanied children, can find safety and shelter.
  
  
• The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is working to refurbish maternity wards to handle emergency obstetric care, provide reproductive health medicines, and to carry out interventions to prevent gender based violence.
  
  
• The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is managing the efforts of over 25 relief teams while directors of various agencies are meeting with local and NGO officials to synchronize activities.

UN/U.S. Collaboration

• The United Nations is working with the United States on prioritizing flights to ensure that the most urgent needs are met first. Additionally, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti Edmond Mulet meetS with US generals to further coordination with US military relief efforts. Bill Clinton, UN Special Envoy for Haiti will help efforts to revitalize Haiti’s economy starting with “cash for work” programs.
  
  
  
• According to Esther Brimmer, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of International Organization Affairs, “the United States is coordinating closely with the Haitian authorities and the United Nations and working hand in hand with many international partners and organizations on the ground. These efforts are making a difference in what is taking shape as among the largest urban search-and-recovery effort ever in history.” Assistant Secretary Brimmer went on to say, “it is in fact events such as the terrible earthquake that illuminate the crucial role of the United Nations in mobilizing and coordinating not just its own activities but also those of the larger international community, because at just such a moment, that’s when we become truly a community.”