The pope has reserved a special word to the Haitian people on the occasion of first anniversary of the earthquake of January 2010. "I wish to reserve a special word to the people of Haiti", at one year of the terrible earthquake (1) which was unfortunately followed by a serious epidemic of cholera (2)" said Benedict XVI at the end of the Angelus prayer Sunday.

The pope confirmed the departure this Sunday for Haiti, of the Cardinal Robert Sarah, President of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, which handles the charities of the pope, "in order to express his constant proximity and that of the whole Church" to the people of Haiti.

(1) The earthquake of January 2010, made more than 250,000 dead, 300,000 injured, more than 2 million people have been displaced and 1.5 million victims are still living in camps or makeshift shelters in difficult conditions.

(2) Since the beginning of the epidemic of cholera in the country (October 19, 2010), 171.3047 people were infected and treated, 95.039 people were hospitalized and 3.651 people died. According to the latest report from the Ministry of Public Health and Population (MSPP), dated of January 1, 2011. Between December 30, 2010 and January 1, 2011, one person was infected by cholera every 18 seconds in Haiti.

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2065-haiti-religion-an-envoy-of-benedict-xvi-is-expected-in-haiti.html

BF/ HaitiLibre