PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- The United Nations said the Haitian government declared an official day of mourning Friday for the one-month anniversary of the Jan. 12 earthquake.
The U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a release the day of mourning will be recognized by Haitian President Rene Preval at a ceremony, which will remain small due to available space constraints in the quake-stricken country.
In addition, all Haitians aiding international aid organizations were allowed to skip work Friday as part of the official day of mourning.
UNHAS officials canceled all of the agency's helicopter cargo flights, truck movements and warehouse operations in Haiti for the day.
As of Tuesday, search and rescue teams have managed 211 live rescues from the wreckage of last month's devastating earthquake.
Meanwhile, recent rainfall and concerns about the spread of disease have made shelter and sanitation pressing concerns for national and international humanitarian workers.
