Haitians mark quake anniversary
- 12 years ago
Haitians remember the moment two years ago when their nation became home to one of the world's worst natural disasters.
An estimated 300, 000 people were killed in the magnitude 7 quake that lasted no more than 20 seconds.
President Michel Martelly paid tribute to the dead at a mass burial ground north of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
SOUNDBITE: Haitian President Michel Martelly saying (French):
"Let's swear to those who disappeared that we are determined to be inspired by the tragedy of their passing. We should be inspired not to lament and cry more but that the example of their passing brings us to build a proper Haitian habitat in line with the laws of nature."
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton who was at the memorial later attended a ceremony to remember United Nations personnel who died in the same quake.
Clinton's a U.N special envoy to Haiti.
SOUNDBITE: Bill Clinton, U.N. special envoy to Haiti and former U.S. president, saying (English):
"We come for the second time to honour the memory of the 102 people who not only believed in the United Nations but who believed in Haiti and its people and its promise."
Despite billions of dollars of international donations and aid pledges many Haitians say they still see little tangible sign of the recovery and reconstruction effort.
Paul Chapman, Reuters
An estimated 300, 000 people were killed in the magnitude 7 quake that lasted no more than 20 seconds.
President Michel Martelly paid tribute to the dead at a mass burial ground north of the capital, Port-au-Prince.
SOUNDBITE: Haitian President Michel Martelly saying (French):
"Let's swear to those who disappeared that we are determined to be inspired by the tragedy of their passing. We should be inspired not to lament and cry more but that the example of their passing brings us to build a proper Haitian habitat in line with the laws of nature."
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton who was at the memorial later attended a ceremony to remember United Nations personnel who died in the same quake.
Clinton's a U.N special envoy to Haiti.
SOUNDBITE: Bill Clinton, U.N. special envoy to Haiti and former U.S. president, saying (English):
"We come for the second time to honour the memory of the 102 people who not only believed in the United Nations but who believed in Haiti and its people and its promise."
Despite billions of dollars of international donations and aid pledges many Haitians say they still see little tangible sign of the recovery and reconstruction effort.
Paul Chapman, Reuters