N.L. native James Coates has been missing in Haiti since the earthquake struck Jan. 12.

The devastation in Haiti has hit home for a St. John's woman anxiously waiting for news of her missing brother.

James Coates, 37, was in his office on the fifth floor of the United Nations building in Port-au-Prince when the earthquake brought the five-storey building down.

His older sister says she has been endlessly watching days of agonizing media coverage hoping to get a glimpse of Coates.

"Worst days of my life," Novalee Coates-Drover told CBC News on Friday. "For me and my family. My mother and my sisters have been on the phone trying to support each other as best as we can. Just praying."

Coates-Drover said her brother is the treasure of their family, talented and funny.

Coates has worked as an assistant manager of information with the United Nations Mission in Haiti for the last year and a half.

Thursday evening heavy equipment arrived at the ruined building where Coates was at his office, sending messages to a friend on Facebook when the earthquake hit Tuesday.

The last information his sister received is that seven people have been found alive and 18 have been found dead but no word of her brother.

"There's hope, yes. We're holding on to that and praying. Constantly," said Coates-Drover.

Coates was home for Christmas and returned to Haiti in early January.

His sister said his family knew Coates was in a potentially dangerous place but an earthquake had never entered their minds.