UNITED NATIONS, Nov 2: The UN has reopened its offices after hurricane Sandy affected the functioning of the world body, which is based in New York.
The hurricane forced the closure of the world body for an unprecedented three straight days, with most meetings cancelled. Almost all UN and its affiliates’ offices reopened yesterday, a spokesperson for UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said.
The UN complex, among the tallest buildings in the city, suffered damage due to high winds and flooding, which affected communications and other infrastructure.
The Secretary-General has offered his condolences to the millions of people who have been severely affected by the storm, including hundreds that have been killed.
“The Secretary-General has written to US President Obama, and has spoken to the presidents of Haiti and the Dominican Republic and Mayor Bloomberg of New York City, to express his solidarity at this time of crisis and to pledge the assistance of the United Nations, if requested, in the recovery effort,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added, “The UN chief also intends to speak with other Caribbean leaders and with the Governors of New York and New Jersey. The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has mobilised to provide maximum possible assistance.”
Earlier yesterday, an OCHA official said more than a million people in Haiti are facing food insecurity as a result of the hurricane, which ploughed through the Caribbean before wreaking havoc along the east coast of the United States this week.
“Despite disruptions, all essential operations went ahead, including a meeting of the Security Council, and contacts with peacekeeping and other missions around the world were maintained without interruption,” the spokesperson noted, adding that UN headquarters is expected to be back at full capacity shortly.
“Mr Ban notes that when the host country is hit by a natural disaster, the UN family suffers as well. Like our neighbours in the metropolitan area, UN staff members have been affected in various ways by the storm,” the spokesperson stated.
He highlighted the Secretary-General’s thanks to UN staff for pressing ahead with their work even as they tend to their families’ needs, and the UN chief’s encouragement of staff to contribute to relief efforts by volunteering or making financial donations.
“At this time of crisis, the Secretary-General’s thoughts and prayers are with all those in need. He pledges the full support of the United Nations in rebuilding today, strengthening global disaster risk reduction, and preparing the world for a safer tomorrow,” the spokesperson said. (UNI)
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