Sherwin Bryce-Pease: SABC, New York 

The United Nations is working closely with the Haitian government to do what they can to stem the tide as the hurricane season approaches. The Caribbean island continues in recovery mode since a devastating earthquake that killed thousands and left millions homeless. 

But the reality in the short-term is that their efforts might not be enough for Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas and sadly, prone to natural disasters. In 2004 tropical storm Jeanne killed over 3 000 people with the Island again pummelled in August and September of 2008 leaving around 800 000 in need of humanitarian assistance.

In an exclusive interview with the SABC, Jordan Ryan, the assistant administrator at the UN Development Programme (UNDP), said the January 12 quake was a  disaster for Haiti. Ryan has been part of the UN team that initially led the recovery effort in Haiti and is in charge of the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery.

During the January earthquake, 84 UN staff members were confirmed dead but many remain unaccounted for.  Nevertheless the UN is still expected to lead the relief and recovery effort; providing leadership as the Haitian government was incapacitated after the presidential palace was destroyed.

Flash Appeal fully funded
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon announced that the $570 million Flash Appeal launched on January 15 was fully funded, with more than $41 million pledged beyond that.  However he has appealed that to carry out the rebuilding work, another  $1.4 billion in humanitarian and early recovery assistance was needed  for the  next year.

Ban has also indicated that there will be a pledging conference that will look at funding for the next two to three years, in terms of the development plan. Haitians have now adopted a new mantra - to ensure that recovery and reconstruction leaves them less vulnerable to the consequences of natural disasters.

The Cash for Work Programme -- which   pays locals for  clearing and rebuilding tasks - has been critical to the small steps of progress Haiti has made to date but Anthony Branbury of the UN Mission in Haiti acknowledges that the island has a long way to go. And with the rains coming, there is bound to be more anxiety, an increased threat of disease, greater vulnerability, further loss of life, desperation and hopelessness. 

In his address, Jordan Ryan said Haiti has taught people the importance of being prepared,  being front-ended rather than being prepared after the disaster. The UN, with the Haitian government as the lead, will continue to conduct a post disaster needs assessment and recovery framework that will form the basis for further funding appeals.All this will happen as the UN, with the Haitian government as the lead, continues to conduct a post disaster needs assessment and recovery framework that will form the basis for further funding appeals, and will peak at a donor conference to be held later this month, as billions more are needed to rebuild the country..