The recovery process in Haiti should be used to create a sustainable business culture, attract investments and promote small business, while ensuring a culture of business instead of one of corruption, according to Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for International Co-operation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response.
 
Georgieva was quoted by Bulgarian-language mass-circulation daily 24 Chassa on March 3 2010 as saying that the recovery process in Haiti, which was hit by a devastating earthquake on January 12, should be used to solve the country’s chronic problems.
 
Seven weeks after the earthquake struck Haiti, health needs remain great, the United Nations World Health Organisation (WHO) said on March 2, emphasising the need for stepped-up disaster risk reduction and early recovery efforts to help the devastated nation, the UN News Service reported.
 
The scale and complexity of the crisis in the wake of the 7-magnitude earthquake means the emergency response phase will continue for months to come, according to the latest health bulletin.
 
"Many lives have been saved by the speed and generosity the world showed in its first response in the first days and weeks after the earthquake," it said. "Nonetheless, there is still a tremendous amount to be done."
 
Of the $1.4 billion called for in the revised humanitarian appeal launched in February, $134 million is earmarked for health-related needs.
 
One of the biggest challenges foreseen in the coming weeks is moving patients in hospitals to external locations where they can still receive the care they need.
 
Needs are continuing to be assessed as the reconstruction process continues, ahead of a meeting later this month bringing together all major partners, including the UN, the Haitian Government, the World Bank and the European Commission.
 
Dozens of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have set up 160 sites – both fixed and mobile clinics – across Haiti.
 
There have been no indications of an increase in infectious diseases, and respiratory infections are the main cause of illness, followed by trauma/injury, diarrhoea and suspected cases of malaria.
 
In response to an assessment made by Haiti’s national blood programme, the American Red Cross, Bolivia, Ireland and the Dominican Republic have made blood donations.
 
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said on March 2 that the top priority now is to provide people with waterproof shelter materials, as the rainy season approaches.
 
To date, more than 500 000 people – or 40 per cent of those in need – have received emergency shelter materials. An additional 232 000 tarpaulins and 22 000 tents are on their way to Haiti for immediate distribution.
 
The UN World Food Programme is assisting the government plan a more targeted food distribution to provide 300 000 families, or 1.5 million people, with rice, beans, oil, salt and other supplies.