UN apologizes for Haiti cholera spread, not for causing it
UNITED NATIONS -- Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has apologized for the UN not doing enough to contain the spread of a cholera outbreak in Haiti, but not for bringing the disease to the Caribbean nation.
Ban made his remarks Thursday in a speech announcing the UN's new approach to cholera in Haiti.
"On behalf of the United Nations, I want to say very clearly we apologize to the Haitian people. We simply did not do enough with regard to the cholera outbreak and its spread in Haiti. We are profoundly sorry for our role," Ban said.
Researchers say cholera was introduced to Haiti by Nepalese troops who were part of a UN peacekeeping mission.
For years, the UN denied or remained silent on longstanding allegations that it was responsible for the outbreak.
