“New bodies have been found in the south,” said a statement from the country’s civil protection office, adding that 344 people remain missing and 12,268 have been listed as injured. The previously reported toll was 2,189 dead. (Photo by Richard Pierrin / AFP) / The erroneous mention[s] appearing in the metadata of this photo by Richard Pierrin has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [August 24, 2021] instead of [August 25, 2021]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention[s] from all your online services and delete it (them) from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it (them) to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.
“These contributions went well above our expectations,” said Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, after the conclusion of an international summit in Port-au-Prince.
With a total estimated cost of $2 billion over four years to build back the areas hardest hit by the August 14 earthquake, the $600 million figure corresponds to only 30 percent of the necessary funding, but is still higher than the 25 percent that had been expected.
Almost a billion dollars is needed just to rebuild the 130,000 homes that were leveled.
Three out of four schools in the region were also destroyed or severely damaged, contributing to an estimated $400 million cost for the education sector alone.
“These contributions, large and small, demonstrate that the international community is committed to a new approach to working with the Government and the people of this country,” said Deputy UN Secretary General Amina Mohammed, who visited Port-au-Prince for the summit.
In 2010, after a devastating earthquake killed more than 200,000 people and destroyed the homes of a million and half Haitians, the international aid effort was poorly coordinated and inefficient.
Twelve years later, the city center of Port-au-Prince — including multiple government agency headquarters and the presidential palace — has still not been rebuilt.
Lacking long-term plans for new housing, earthquake victims have also filled entire zones of the capital with makeshift lodgings that are highly susceptible to another natural catastrophe.
While Haiti is still mired in a political crisis following the assassination of its president Jovenal Moise seven months ago, the donors said that the funds will be properly managed to avoid corruption or embezzlement.
The investment fund, organized by the United Nations, “will ensure that donors’ money is disbursed in a responsible, effective and considered manner, to bring the maximum possible transparency and impact in the lives of Haitians,” said Mohammed.
© Agence France-Presse