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Haiti holds quake day of mourning Haiti holds day of quake mourning
(about 3 hours later)
Haiti is holding a day of national mourning exactly a month after the earthquake struck, killing at least 217,000 people. Haiti's President Rene Preval has vowed that his country will not die during a day of national mourning a month after the devastating earthquake struck.
A ceremony is due to begin shortly near the devastated cathedral in the centre of the capital, Port-au-Prince. "Haiti will not die, Haiti must not die," he said.
Another service has been held at the site of a mass grave where it is believed that tens of thousand of victims were buried. At least 217,000 people died in the 12 January quake, which left 300,000 injured and one million homeless.
The 12 January quake left 300,000 injured and one million homeless. A prayer service was also held at the site of a mass grave outside the capital which is believed to hold tens of thousands of victims.
Later, at 1653 local time (2153 GMT), the time the earthquake hit, Haitians at home and abroad will be asked to kneel and pray. Later, at the exact time the earthquake hit, Haitians at home and abroad will be asked to kneel and pray.
Television screens AT THE SCENE By Mike Wooldridge, BBC News, Titanyen
The BBC's Christian Fraser in Port-au-Prince says that services have been ongoing since 0600 local time, with many people dressed in white as a mark of respect. Amid scrub-covered hills to the north of Port-au-Prince, some 50 worshippers led by a Haitian bishop celebrated mass on the graves where tens of thousands of the earthquake victims lie buried.
HAITI QUAKE Magnitude seven quake strikes south-west of Port-au-Prince at 1653 local time (2153 GMT), 12 JanuaryGovernment now reports between 217,000 and 230,000 dead, 300,000 injuredAbout three million affected, one million homeless, 250,000 homes destroyedQuake sparks massive international aid effort - more than $500m (£320m) donated from USUN says 53 million tonnes of rubble must be removedUS has assigned 13,000 military personnel class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8511900.stm">Rebuilding razed Haiti class="" href="/2/hi/americas/8511089.stm">Carpenter's quest A small wooden table atop one of the mass graves in the scrub-covered low hills served as the altar.
The main ceremony will be in the capital's centre, amid the ruins of the National Palace. Swinging incense above the graves and sprinkling water on them, the bishop said he aimed to give dignity to their hasty burial.
The government plans to set up large screens at some of the tented relief camps to allow people to follow the ceremony. "Tend to your brothers and sisters, calling out from under the ground," he said.
Haitians have been urged to wear either black or white to show their respect for the victims. At the main ceremony in the capital's centre, near the ruins of the National Palace, leaders of Haiti's two official religions - a Catholic bishop and the head of the Voodoo priests, both robed in white - joined ministers from Protestant denominations for a prayer service.
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Port-au-Prince says the act of national reflection comes as one of the largest humanitarian operations ever mounted grapples with challenges on many fronts. Hundreds of people gathered for the service in the shade of mimosa trees, including President Preval, who wept during the service.
The Associated Press news agency reports that the remaining churches in Port-au-Prince's Petionville suburb were so packed that loudspeakers had to be set up so those left outside in the streets could follow the service.
"All families were affected by this tragedy and we are celebrating the memory of the people we lost," one mourner, Desire Joseph Dorsaintvil, told AP.
The BBC's Mike Wooldridge says the act of national reflection comes as one of the largest humanitarian operations ever mounted grapples with challenges on many fronts.
HAITI QUAKE Magnitude seven quake strikes south-west of Port-au-Prince at 1653 local time (2153 GMT), 12 JanuaryGovernment now reports between 217,000 and 230,000 dead, 300,000 injuredAbout three million affected, one million homeless, 250,000 homes destroyedQuake sparks massive international aid effort - more than $500m (£320m) donated from USUN says 53 million tonnes of rubble must be removedUS has assigned 13,000 military personnel Rebuilding razed Haiti 'Neglected' quake-hit town
He says a heavy downpour on the eve of the anniversary provided a foretaste of the misery that lies ahead for the many people who still have only the flimsiest shelter in impromptu camps, if the pace of getting out more tents and stronger shelter materials is not stepped up before the start of the rainy season.He says a heavy downpour on the eve of the anniversary provided a foretaste of the misery that lies ahead for the many people who still have only the flimsiest shelter in impromptu camps, if the pace of getting out more tents and stronger shelter materials is not stepped up before the start of the rainy season.
The rainy season could increase the misery for those in camps
In the biggest of the camps that sprang up in the capital after the earthquake, people are still living under sheeting strung across wooden poles.In the biggest of the camps that sprang up in the capital after the earthquake, people are still living under sheeting strung across wooden poles.
The government says the seasonal rains could be the biggest threat now to the nation's attempts at recovery.The government says the seasonal rains could be the biggest threat now to the nation's attempts at recovery.
The European Union has proposed a military mission to step up the provision of shelter before the rains worsen.The European Union has proposed a military mission to step up the provision of shelter before the rains worsen.
This week's Haitian government figures suggesting up to 230,000 dead means the quake toll is approaching that of the 2004 Asian tsunami, which killed 250,000 people.This week's Haitian government figures suggesting up to 230,000 dead means the quake toll is approaching that of the 2004 Asian tsunami, which killed 250,000 people.