UN: Haitian quake is worst disaster because of lack of government resources

UN: Haitian quake worst due to government losses

GENEVA — A U.N. spokeswoman says the United Nations is finding the Haitian earthquake to be the worst disaster it has had to face in terms of the resources available for its relief work.

Elisabeth Byrs says U.N. and government buildings and infrastructure have been destroyed. She says many civil servants were killed.

Byrs says the government losses make it harder for relief agencies to work than even after the Asian tsuanami of 2004.

She said Saturday that the government has been able to set up an operations center to work with the U.N., but it has been hard hit, and like the world body, is very challenged.

Byrs says aid has been slowed by damage to the port and airport, but that relief is finally getting through and being distributed.