Haiti has lost 2,189 souls following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Saturday. Nearly 30,000 people have been left without reliable shelter and an additional 12,200 people are injured. Making matters worse, Tropical Depression Grace has left residents stranded in wet areas as they attempt to fight through flooding.
“Last night, I saw strong winds and heavy rainfall strike the same areas already affected by the earthquake. Countless Haitian families who have lost everything due to the earthquake are now living literally with their feet in the water due to the flooding,” UNICEF representative Bruno Maes said.
“Right now, about half a million Haitian children have limited or no access to shelter, safe water, health care and nutrition.”
Government officials and humanitarian leaders have called for help from all corners of the world. However, UNICEF says it has run into issues delivering supplies to certain areas because “the main road from Port-au-Prince to the south of the country is controlled by gangs.”
“I see children crying on the street, people asking us for food, but we are low on food ourselves as well,” Carl-Henry Petit-Frère of Save The Children said.
“The organizations that are here are doing what they can, but we need more supplies. Food, clean water and shelter are needed most, and we need them fast.”
