The death toll from a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Haiti has risen to around 1 300 with close to 6 000 people injured. Yet, those numbers are expected to rise.
Adding urgency to rescue and recovery efforts are Tropical Storm Grace, which is expected to bring heavy rains to parts of the country that lie in ruin.
With heavy damage to homes, schools, and hospitals in the southwestern parts of the island nation, there are concerns now that heavy rains from the tropical storm could cause further devastation including mudslides.
The earthquake, about 125 km west of the capital Port-au-Prince, is said to be twice the magnitude of the 2010 earthquake that devastated large parts of the densely populated capital that left hundreds of thousands dead.
The UN Children’s Fund said in a statement that humanitarian needs in affected areas were acute, as essential services had been disrupted with many people needing urgent health care and clean water.
UN Chief Antonio Guterres extended his deep condolences to the Government and people of the country.
