Xinhua, China

UNITED NATIONS, April 24 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon requested member states to provide urgent assistance for Haiti, UN Spokesperson Marie Okabe said Thursday.

Okabe told reporters at the UN Headquarters in New York that Ban has written to more than a dozen key Member States, asking for their urgent assistance in addressing the situation in Haiti, following the rapid deterioration in socio-economic circumstances there.

The spokesperson said the UN chief noted that the rise in the prices of certain staple commodities had led to increased popular frustration, which found expression in a number of demonstrations, some violent, earlier this month.

It is the Secretary-General's view that Haiti is making significant progress towards political, economic and social stability and that it is crucial to avoid backsliding, which could unravel the many gains achieved over the past four years, she added.

Okabe reiterated that the UN system will do everything in its capacity to assist Haiti, but real progress will also require urgent support from donors, including in-kind contributions and funds to help fill short-term needs and the requirements of ongoing programs.