Jan Vandemoortele Quotes (15 Quotes)

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 need the money now or we will be forced to scale down food deliveries. So far, we have been operating on reserves, and borrowing ... and the pipeline is drying up.

The humanitarian plan covering a one-year period from April 2006 is a set of guidelines for the donors to identify how and where to expend the money concretely.

The race to provide suitable shelter in time is not lost yet, but the consequences of failure, resulting from the lack of relief funds, could result in the deaths of vulnerable people.

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.

The situation remains difficult but it's not critical. The rains and snow often make it miserable but not unmanageable.

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.

We are very worried and are being very vigilant.

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.

The scarcest commodity at this time is time. Money cannot buy time, and the weather is against us and winter is closing in.

A couple of months ago we feared a second wave of deaths. It has not happened but we remain vigilant.

Perhaps for the first time since Oct. 8, there is a sense of cautious optimism in the humanitarian community. The job is colossal, but there is a feeling that this is a doable job. It is not mission impossible.

We are meeting day and night around the world to secure more resources. It is not less urgent, the job is not done.