Improved Aid Distribution Paramount in Haiti

PORT AU PRINCE, February 4.— The Haitian government and international organizations continue to focus on improving the distribution of aid to the victims of the devastating earthquake that shook Haiti on January 12.

Despite reports of increased aid and better distribution, there are still widespread complaints among the population regarding food shortages and poor coordination.

Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive proposed to parliament to set up a crisis committee for disaster relief and to undertake the impoverished country’s reconstruction, reported Prensa Latina.

Meanwhile in New York, UN General Secretary Ban Ki-moon said on Wednesday that peace reigns in Haiti and aid distribution continues to gradually improve. He also announced that a new request for US $500 million in aid for Haiti will be launched on February 17.

The United Nations has also called on the international community to support their efforts to hire Haitians to take part in the reconstruction of their country, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has hired some 30,000 Haitians to clear the streets of debris.