Nation stops to remember dead

HAITI: In tent cities, outside demolished churches, and at the mass graves that have become a symbol of their loss, the people of Haiti paused yesterday to mark the one-month anniversary of the earthquake that killed 230,000 people and left millions more struggling to survive.

The national day of mourning brought together the shell-shocked nation to honour victims of the devastating earthquake, which measured 7 on the Richter scale, flattened much of the capital city, and made an estimated 1.2 million of its citizens homeless.

Priests from Haiti's two official religions, the Catholic and Voodoo faiths, joined Protestant clergy at yesterday's main remembrance service, held outside the presidential palace in Port-au-Prince.

They were watched by the 125,000 victims who are now living under makeshift tarpaulins in the nearby park. Like many mourners, they wore black armbands, and sang hymns and gospel music.

President Rene Preval, whose administration is under increasing political pressure, wept throughout the service. He was comforted by his wife. "Haiti will not die," he said. "Haiti must not die."

At 4.35pm local time, the moment the quake struck, Haitians at home and abroad kneeled to pray. They remained silent for 40 seconds, as long as the ground shook that day.

The day of mourning allowed the nation to catch its breath. It also provided an opportunity to reflect on the challenges that face aid workers battling to treat the injured and feed, clothe and provide water to survivors.

Although the immediate crisis has receded, and the largest humanitarian relief effort ever mounted is now under way, millions of refugees will soon have to contend with the hurricane season, which begins in earnest in April.

The European Union has proposed a military mission to step up the construction of shelters, while charities campaign to provide tents.

However, Port-au-Prince is running out of space to pitch new tents.

"Tents are great, but they basically impede the process of economic development and reconstruction," Lewis Lucke, the US special co-ordinator, told CBC news.

Tens thousands of Haitians have fled overseas. However some foreign countries have begun turning away refugees.

- INDEPENDENT