UN apologizes for Cholera outbreak in Haiti

NEW YORK, Dec 2 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon apologized to the Haitian people for the UN's role in the Cholera outbreak, calling for international funding.
His remarks came at the General Assembly's informal briefing where the UN Chief presented the UN's new approach to cholera in Haiti.
Ban said loud and clear that the UN deeply regrets the loss of life and suffering caused by the cholera outbreak in Haiti. Apologizing to the Haitian people, Ban said "we simply did not do enough with regard to the cholera outbreak and its spread in Haiti. We are profoundly sorry for our role." As this has cast a shadow upon the relationship between the organization and the people of Haiti, the outgoing Secretary General said it is a blemish on the reputation of UN peacekeeping and the Organization world-wide. Therefore, for the sake of the Haitian people, but also for the sake of the UN itself, he affirmed that they have a moral responsibility to act.
Costing around USD 400 million over the next two years, the proposed United Nations package will center on two different elements, known as 'Track One' and 'Track Two.' The former consists of a greatly intensified and better-resourced effort to respond to and reduce the incidence of cholera, through addressing Haiti's short- and longer-term issues of water, sanitation and health systems and improved access to care and treatment.
In the report submitted by the UN, it unveiled that approach is now out. It provides information on the two tracks of the new approach, identifies challenges in connection with its implementation and sets out a proposed timeline.
Over the last six years, cholera has afflicted nearly 800,000 people and claimed the lives of more than 9,000 Haitians. (end) mao.tg