UN chief says up to half of Haiti’s capital damaged; UN to launch $550 million aid appeal

UN chief says half of Haiti’s capital damaged

UNITED NATIONS — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says up to 50 percent of the buildings in Haiti’s capital and other areas hardest hit by the earthquake have been damaged or destroyed.

The U.N. chief says the United Nations will launch an emergency appeal later Friday for $550 million to provide food, water, shelter and other essentials for millions of Haitians.

Ban says the international community’s response has been “robust.” He acknowledges “there is frustration” among Haitians with the pace of relief efforts and says the U.N. is watching for any signs or unrest.

U.N. spokesman Martin Nesirky says 37 U.N. personnel have been confirmed dead and 330 remain missing from about 12,000 people working for all U.N. operations in Haiti.