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January 12, 2011

Haiti Marks One Year Since Earthquake 
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Haitians have begun two days of commemoration of the massive earthquake
that devastated the country one year ago today. Up to a quarter of a
million people were killed and more than 1.5 million were made homeless
in one of the worst natural disasters in history. On the eve of the
anniversary, Haitian President René Préval presided over a ceremony at
the Titanyen mass grave for earthquake victims on the outskirts of the
capital Port-au-Prince.

Haitian President René Préval: "We must respect the duty of
commemorating the dead. It's a duty we must not forget because it
motivates and gives strength to the generations to come, so that they
don't suffer what we suffered."

Ahead of the anniversary, the British charity Oxfam released a report
slamming the reconstruction effort and the recovery commission headed by
former U.S. President Bill Clinton. Oxfam says less than five percent of
the rubble has been cleared, only 15 percent of the temporary housing
that is needed has been built, and relatively few permanent water and
sanitation facilities have been constructed.



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