UN calls for well-invested, coordinated aid in Haiti - Update

New York - A United Nations conference to assist in the recovery and reconstruction of earthquake-ravaged Haiti on Wednesday stressed on international aid that is well invested and well coordinated for the long-term benefits of Haitians.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton opened the one-day donor conference at UN headquarters in New York, insisting that the post-quake relief and a 10-year plan for reconstruction be carried out with effectiveness and discipline.

"As we move from emergency aid to long-term reconstruction, let us recognize that we cannot accept business as usual," Ban told the conference attended by more than 130 government envoys and others from the European Union and World Bank.

Haitian President Rene Preval also pledged his government's commitment to work hard and adopt discipline in using international aid to be given to Haiti.

Clinton, whose husband former US president Bill Clinton was also present at the meeting, pledged 1.5 billion dollars for the long-term reconstruction.

The EU pledged a total of 1.6 billion dollars.

Brazil pledged a further 172 million dollars as the country has already provided significant financial aid as well as military troops for the UN mission in Haiti.

The UN is seeking 3.9 billion dollars for the first 18 months of recovery and reconstruction and a total of 11.5 billion dollars for the 10-year plan.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/316623,un-calls-for-well-invested-coordinated-aid-in-haiti--update.html.