Haiti - August 17, 2021

Haiti Earthquake Death Toll Continues To Grow And How You Can Help

The death toll from a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Haiti climbed to at least 1,419. The earthquake also left at least 6,900 people injured with thousands more displaced from their destroyed or damaged homes, and an unknown number are still missing.

Damage

Thousands of buildings were destroyed by the quake and rescue efforts are racing against the arrival of Tropical Depression Grace is expected to dump up to 25cm (10 inches) of rainfall which could provoke landslides. Survivors in some areas were forced to wait out in the open amid oppressive heat for help from overloaded hospitals. Meanwhile, COVID19 continues to be a risk as people begin to gather in crowded makeshift shelters. Haiti's civil protection agency urged "good neighbours whose space has not been affected" to help shelter displaced people.

Global response

Search and rescue teams have been arriving from the United States and Chile, with more on the way from Mexico. There are already Cuban medical teams in Haiti helping people. Humanitarian groups say survivors need drinking water and shelter. More than 30,000 families were displaced and are now homeless.