Statements made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development Spokesperson (Paris, January 12, 2015)

Nigeria – Escalation of violence in the northeastern part of the country (January 10 to 11, 2015)
Lebanon – Terrorist attacks in Tripoli (January 10, 2015)
Haiti – Fifth anniversary of the 2010 earthquake (January 12, 2015)


Nigeria – Escalation of violence in the northeastern part of the country (January 10 to 11, 2015)

France strongly condemns and expresses its outrage at the escalation of violence in northeastern Nigeria following the terrorist attacks against the cities of Baga and surrounding areas, Maiduguri and Potiskum.

The recruitment of children to carry out certain attacks makes these heinous acts even more despicable.

While NGO reports indicate that several hundred people have been killed and that there are many displaced persons and refugees, we express our condolences to the Nigerian people. The perpetrators of these attacks must be held accountable.

Together with its African partners, France stands alongside the Nigerian government in the fight against terrorism.

 

Lebanon – Terrorist attacks in Tripoli (January 10, 2015)

France condemns the attacks perpetrated on Saturday in Tripoli in Lebanon, which killed almost a dozen people and injured several dozen others. It expresses its concern at the increase in violence in this city.

We extend our condolences to the victims’ families and assure the injured of our solidarity.

France stands alongside the Lebanese authorities and people in the fight against terrorism. It reaffirms its full support for Lebanon’s stability, unity and territorial integrity.

 

Haiti – Fifth anniversary of the 2010 earthquake (January 12, 2015)

Five years after the earthquake that left 250,000 people dead, hundreds of thousands injured and 1.5 million displaced, France has not forgotten the victims and assures their loved ones of its solidarity. The Haitian people demonstrated a level of dignity during this tragedy that impressed the whole world. We also pay tribute to all those who participated in the relief and then reconstruction efforts.

Since the earthquake, France has mobilized more than €350 million in support of the reconstruction efforts. It notably strengthened several cooperation projects initiated before the disaster by €25 million and provided €200 million in emergency assistance and in support of new long-term projects.

France continues to stand alongside Haiti. It will continue to help the Haitian people build a democracy and stable institutions.

Graphics outlining our actions can be found here:   

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/haiti/la-france-et-haiti/seisme-en-haiti/article/infographie-la-solidarite?var_mode=calcul

A video providing a firsthand account by Didier Le Bret, Ambassador of France to Haiti at the time of the earthquake, can also be found here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zncpzzkw4qo&feature=youtu.be