Earthquake in Haiti: Latest assessment
(BRUSSELS2) The earthquake in Haiti finally made 212.000 dead according to the latest assessment given by the Haitian authorities and the UN. Which joins the top of the range given by the American general Ken Keen who coordinated the first rescue operations. 211 (only) were rescued from the rubble by international rescue teams.
A to which must be added 300.000 injured, including 4.000 amputees, and more than 1 million homeless. 2,6 million people live on food aid distributed by international organisations. Before the earthquake, there were 380.000 orphans in Haiti. The number of unaccompanied or orphaned children (including, however, children with only one parent) is now estimated at 1 million.
Balance sheet on the European side
On the European side, according to the European Commission, there are 55 to 62 deaths, including number 2 of the EU Delegation in Haiti (1), and 10 wounded. All nationalities are affected: Spanish and French in particular, but also Austrian, Belgian, British, Italian, Polish. Several of them worked at MINUSTAH, the United Nations force for Haiti., who paid a heavy price for this disaster: 92 to 99 deaths.
It should be noted that 1583 European citizens were evacuated during the disaster (largely by French planes which shuttled between Haiti and the West Indies).
(1) The death of the European diplomat reported missing in Haiti confirmed (update)
Counting the “European” dead seems rather odd to me in such a situation – as if a European death is more important than other deaths which are so numerous.
Excuse me, but this is the worst post on your blog since I've been on it.