The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) says 1.2-million people including 540 000 children were directly impacted by the powerful earthquake that hit the island nation of Haiti over the weekend.
The death toll is close to 2 000 with over 10 000 injured and rising.
Hampering recovery efforts over the last 24-hours was the deluge brought by Tropical Storm Grace which further disrupted access to the hardest-hit regions in the south western parts of the island.
The UN says more than 84 000 houses have been damaged or destroyed, along with public infrastructure including hospitals, schools and bridges.
The hardest-hit regions of South, Nippe and Grande’Anse were in the direct path of Tropical Storm Grace bringing heavy rains to an area already vastly devastated by the earthquake just days earlier.
The UN says criminal violence, particularly from gangs who control certain areas, has exacerbated insecurity further complicating the humanitarian response, particularly on the main road from the capital Port-au-Prince to the south western regions.
UNICEF and partners are distributing tarpaulins for emergency shelter in addition to latrines and showers among other supplies to address immediate needs.
UN Spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric says the Secretary-General stands in solidarity with the people of Haiti.
“The Secretary-General said that he stands in solidarity with the people of Haiti at this difficult time. The earthquake has destroyed or damaged thousands of homes, as well as hospitals and schools, churches, bridges, and roads. The Deputy Secretary-General, Amina Mohammed, expressed her support directly to Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, yesterday. The UN team on the ground is working with the government to help ensure humanitarian aid and personnel can reach people in need. UN agencies and partners are mobilizing resources and personnel in support of the government response.”
Dujarric says the UN will continue to scale up its responses to the hardest-hit areas.
“As assessments reveal the level of suffering, the scale of humanitarian need in Haiti continues to grow. The Secretary-General calls on all Member States to mobilize efforts to support the country in averting a humanitarian disaster. His message to the people of Haiti is: You are not alone. We will stand by your side and support you every step of the way out of this crisis. Just to give you a bit more details. UN Humanitarian Air Service flights are supporting the delivery of supplies and medical staff.”
National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, “It’s too early to tell what the impact on the political process of the earthquake is. We are in the process of assessing that. On your first question right now, what we’re focused on is getting the USAID DART team. It’s been deployed out, and active in helping address this. We’ve got US Coast Guard elements and Southcom has mobilized with logistical and other support to be able to provide the kind of emergency response that is necessary in a human tragedy and catastrophe like this. There are no current plans to speak of to deploy US military personnel to Haiti.”
Death toll in the Haiti earthquake:
