ECOSOC SPECIAL EVENT ON HAITI
24 JUNE 2010
A massive earthquake, measuring 7.0, rocked Haiti on 12 January 2010, killing over 300,000 people, and leaving more than a million people homeless. The government of Haiti estimated that the overall damage and losses caused by the earthquake represent US$7.9 billion.The International community, which has responded quickly to the disaster, has provided on-going relief support to the country.
On 31 March 2010, more than 150 countries participated in the International Donors Conference Towards a New Future for Haiti, and planned for the country’s long term recovery and reconstruction. Member States and international partners pledged almost $10 billion in total, with $5.3 billion for the next 18 months.
The Haiti earthquake of 12 January 2010 challenged the international community to respond promptly, substantially and in a coordinated manner to the humanitarian and development crisis. It is against this background that ECOSOC will convene a special event on Haiti.