12 years on; Haiti honors victims of massive quake

Flags at half-mast flapped in the wind Wednesday as Haiti honored the estimated 316,000 people who died in a devastating earthquake that hit 12 years ago.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry and other government officials clad in black suits visited the monument topped by a large rock that commemorates the victims of the 7.0-magnitude quake that struck on January 12, 2010.

Henry said there was plenty to rebuild as the quake destroyed not just one house, but the entire economy.

The quake destroyed more than 100,000 buildings and damaged another 200,000, with Henry saying that billions of dollars were spent in the name of Haiti but that no one has proof of where part of that money went.

Henry, who is seeking to build a coalition government after the July 7 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse as the country struggles with a spike in gang violence, said Haitians don't have the power to stop natural disasters but can put an end to violence.

He said that without peace, Haiti can't rebuild its economy or democratic institutions, open schools or hold the upcoming general elections scheduled for later this year.