UN Security Council resolutions on Haiti

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Security Council Boosts Force Levels for Military, Police Components of United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti:

Resolution 1908 (2010) Addresses Humanitarian, Security, Reconstruction Concerns

Source: United Nations Security Council

Date: 19 Jan 2010


SC/9847

6261st Meeting (AM)

Recognizing the dire circumstances arising from last week's devastating earthquake in Haiti, the Security Council endorsed this morning the Secretary-General's recommendation to increase the force levels of the United Nations Mission there to support.

Unanimously adopting resolution 1908 (2001), the Council decided to raise the ceiling for the military component of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) from 6,940 to 8,940 troops, while increasing the limits of the police component from 2,211 to 3,711 personnel. The Council would keep the new troop and police levels under review as necessary.

For its consideration today, Council members had before them a letter dated 18 January 2010 from the Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations, addressed to the President of the Security Council (document S/2010/27), which conveyed a working document on the situation in Haiti.

The document said the risk of humanitarian and security emergencies in Haiti would exist for some time to come, and requested the Council to consider restructuring and strengthening MINUSTAH, as well as other parts of the United Nations system in the impoverished country, to align it with current needs.

Council President Zhang Yesui (China), welcoming the adoption, said it would facilitate more effective implementation by MINUSTAH of the important tasks of maintaining peace and stability, supporting disaster relief efforts and helping to restore capacity-building and post-disaster reconstruction.

The meeting began at 10:12 a.m. and ended at 10:19 a.m.

Resolution

The full text of resolution 1908 (2010) reads as follows:

"The Security Council,

"Reaffirming its previous resolutions on Haiti, in particular its resolutions 1892 (2009), 1840 (2008), 1780 (2007), 1743 (2007), 1702 (2006), 1658 (2006), 1608 (2005), 1576 (2004) and 1542 (2004),

"Expressing its deepest sympathy and solidarity to all those affected by the devastating earthquake of 12 January in Haiti and to their families,

"Further expressing its deepest gratitude for the work of United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) staff and troops, as well as for the work of the staffs of other United Nations and international organizations in Haiti,

"Recognizing the dire circumstances and urgent need for a response,

"Welcoming the efforts of Member States to support the Government and people of Haiti and MINUSTAH,

"1. Endorses the recommendation made by the Secretary-General to increase the overall force levels of MINUSTAH to support the immediate recovery, reconstruction and stability efforts;

"2. Decides, therefore, that MINUSTAH will consist of a military component of up to 8,940 troops of all ranks and of a police component of up to 3,711 police and that it will keep the new levels of troops and police in MINUSTAH under review as necessary;

"3. Decides to remain seized of the matter."

For information media ? not an official record

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/VVOS-7ZUSCK?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=EQ-2010-000009-HTI

 

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: UN Security Council resolution on Haiti: Resolution 1908 (2010) Addresses Humanitarian, Security, Reconstruction Concerns

Re: UN Security Council resolution on Haiti: Resolution 1908 (2010) Addresses Humanitarian, Security, Reconstruction Concerns

General Assembly Expresses Solidarity, Support for Haiti after Massive Earthquake; Appeals for Speedy, Sustainable Aid for Relief, Early Recovery, Reconstruction

Source: United Nations General Assembly

Date: 22 Jan 2010


Full_Report (pdf* format - 162.7 Kbytes)

GA/10913

Sixty-fourth General Assembly
Plenary
69th Meeting (AM)

Secretary-General, Proud of UN Response, Says 'Haiti Has Never Been More in Need;' Assembly Also Adopts Text on Natural Disaster Assistance, 'from Relief to Development'

Expressing sincere condolences to the Government and people of Haiti who suffered huge losses and untold suffering from the massive 12 January earthquake that levelled large parts of the capital city of Port-au-Prince, the General Assembly today adopted a consensus resolution calling for urgent actions to provide humanitarian assistance, emergency relief and rehabilitation measures to the strife-ridden Caribbean nation.

By the text, introduced by Brazil's representative, the Assembly expressed its "solidarity and support" to Haitians and to all Member States that lost nationals in the catastrophe. It also paid special tribute to United Nations staff and international peacekeepers who gave their lives in the line of duty.

Among other things, it called on the international community to provide assistance at the earliest, in response to the 15 January United Nations flash appeal for Haiti, and requested the Secretary-General, United Nations bodies, international financial institutions and development agencies to help the country, where possible, through humanitarian, technical and financial assistance.

Further, it requested the United Nations to increase support for strengthening the Caribbean nation's disaster-preparedness capacity and integrating disaster-risk reduction into its development strategies and programmes. The Secretary-General was also requested to keep States regularly informed on humanitarian assistance efforts and report to the Assembly's sixty-fifth session on progress made.

In opening remarks, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said the United Nations' first priority in Haiti was on the humanitarian relief operation. Coordination and logistics were crucial and he called for working closely with Haitian authorities, among others, in those efforts. Next, there could be no humanitarian relief or basis for construction without security. There also must be a focus on the future, as the weeks and months ahead would need to see a shift from emergency response to longer-term recovery.

Despite the immense suffering, United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) troops were clearing roads and removing bodies, Mr. Ban said, and the situation, thus far, remained stable. Food had reached half a million people and a $575 million flash appeal had received $334 million thus far, including $25 million from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). He had directed United Nations agencies to work with the World Bank, among others, on an immediate post-disaster needs assessment.

"I am proud of the United Nations' response," Mr. Ban said. Seldom had the international community acted in such solidarity or so quickly in the face of so many difficulties. At the same time, too many people lacked the assistance they urgently needed. Immediate priorities would continue to focus on medical assistance, water, sanitation, food and shelter, as well as on fuel and transportation equipment. Also, $41 million was being sought through a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) flash appeal to scale up a programme designed to pay Haitians for removing debris, delivering aid and constructing camps for the homeless. "Haiti has never been more in need", he said.

http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MYAI-7ZY3F7?OpenDocument&rc=2&emid=EQ-2010-000009-HTI