22 Quotes by Jan Vandemoortele

Until now, everything has been focused on relief, relief, relief, and on saving lives. But now, people, including the non-governmental organizations, the civilian authorities, the military, and the U.N. colleagues are all starting to raise questions about how to make the transition from relief to recovery, rehabilitation and reconstruction.

We have to focus now on the next big problem which will be heating.

One hundred days into the process all is not well.

I would say we have made good progress. The glass is definitely half-full -- it's not half-empty -- but we are still worried because the weather is the big unknown factor and we are not sure how people will be able to cope.

It is important to start building new hospitals and schools as soon as possible but it's most urgent to save the lives of thousands of children who could then make use of these schools.

Our rapid assessment of needs after the first biting taste of winter suggests that we need to do more for people in these unplanned camps below the snow line.

I think most of the humanitarian actors on the ground think we're going to make it. We were fearing a second wave of deaths. It didn't occur.

We are aware that the weather could blow us off in a day. We cannot let our heads rest until the spring.

We hope that this week there will be a major change in commitments and contributions.