Secretary-General, Pledging United Nations Strong Commitment to Ending Cholera

in Haiti, Tells Church Service ‘I Have Come Here to Grieve with You’

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks at a Church service in Los Palmas, Haiti, today:

[In Creole]:  Bonswa tout moun. Mwen kontan pou m avèk nou jodi a.  Seremoni jodi a se yon senbòl tousa nou kapab fè ansanm.

Bonjour à toutes et à tous.  Je suis heureux d’être parmi vous aujourd’hui.  La cérémonie d’aujourd’hui est le symbole de tout ce que nous pouvons faire ensemble.

Hello to all.  I am pleased to be among you today.  Today’s ceremony represents all that we can accomplish together.  Thank you all for welcoming me into your village.  This is a necessary pilgrimage for me, and I greatly appreciate your hospitality.

We are here together to remember the many thousands of people who have lost their lives to cholera, and to express our solidarity with their families and friends.  I know that the epidemic has caused much anger and fear.  I know that the disease continues to affect an unacceptable number of people.

Whatever I say today will not lessen the despair you have felt over the loss of your loved ones.  My wife and I have come here to grieve with you.  As a father and grandfather, and as a mother and grandmother, we feel tremendous anguish at the pain you have had to endure.

As Secretary-General of the United Nations, I want to assure you that the United Nations and its partners are strongly committed to ending the epidemic as quickly as possible.  We are making progress, and we will continue to pursue with all our energy our goal of freeing the country from the disease.

We are also working with the Government and with all of you to ensure stability and build effective institutions, and to promote economic growth and create jobs.

The ties between Haiti and the United Nations span many years.  Over that time, I have seen again and again the courage of the Haitian people.  Your determination in the face of hardship continues to inspire people across the world.  The United Nations will continue to stand with you in your efforts to build a brighter future for you and your children.  Thank you.

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For information media • not an official record