Ed Note: UN Dispatch welcomes blogger Una Moore to our roster of contributors. Una is an international development specialist who focuses on security and governance in post-conflict settings. Follow her on Twitter.
Moments ago, the Security Council unanimously passed resolution 1908, increasing the size and strength of MINUSTAH. The move clears the way for an additional 1,500 UN Police and 2,000 UN peacekeeping troops. Brazil is expected to contribute the bulk of the troops and the European Union will dispatch police units to Haiti.
The vote follows Ban Ki Moon's meeting with the Security Council in which he urged the members to boost MINUSTAH. From the UN News Center:
A new Haiti PSA from the United Nations Foundation that encourages individuals to support the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund.
Ban Ki Moon visited the rubble of the UN Headquarters in Haiti yesterday.. Here is a video of Ban's remarks.
Ban Ki Moon issues a statement confirming the deaths of MINUSTAH chief Hedi Annabi, Deputy mission chief Luiz Carlos da Costa and acting police commissioner Doug Coates.
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL
I am deeply saddened to confirm the tragic death of my Special Representative to Haiti, Hédi Annabi. His Deputy Luiz Carlos da Costa and the Acting Police Commissioner, Doug Coates of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, are also confirmed to have perished.
In response to troubling reports that the UN ordered doctors to leave a field hospital in Haiti (including a front page feature on CNN.com), here's an official statement Dispatch just received: