Haiti earthquake – Live: Searching for survivors after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that killed more than 300 people

[ad_1]

A woman and a child rescued from the rubble after the Haiti earthquake

The search for survivors has begun in Haiti after a devastating 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit the country on Saturday, killing more than 300 people.

Officials recorded at least 304 dead and more than 1,800 injured from the quake on Saturday night, as they assessed the extensive damage to homes and buildings.

The quake comes more than a decade after the catastrophic 7.0-magnitude earthquake in 2010 that struck near the capital, Port-au-Prince, killing an estimated 220,000 people.

Ariel Henry, the country’s prime minister, said on Saturday that local hospitals, particularly in Les Cayes, were “overwhelmed with the wounded and the broken”.

“The needs are enormous. We must take care of the wounded and the broken, and also provide food, aid, temporary shelter and psychological support,” Mr. Henry added.

Key PointsShow Last Updated 1629024635

Today, the Haitian Red Cross Society is also present in the country, with officials working to aid efforts to recover earthquake survivors:

Conrad Duncan August 15, 2021 11:50

1629023592

PAHO and WHO deploy experts to support Haiti today, through medical teams, emergency supplies and equipment being delivered to the country:

Conrad Duncan August 15, 2021 11:33

1629022841 What is the political crisis in Haiti?

In addition to being forced to deal with the fallout from a major earthquake, Haiti is also in a state of political crisis following the assassination of the country’s president.

Jovenel Moise was shot dead in his private residence in the capital, Port-au-Prince, on 7 July, in an attack that authorities claimed was carried out by a group of Colombian mercenaries and accomplices from Haiti.

In response to the murder, Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry said officials were aiming to hold elections to choose a new president as soon as possible.

However, recent reports before Saturday’s earthquake indicated that the vote, which was initially intended for September, would not take place until November.

A natural disaster is likely to make the task of holding a quick election more difficult.

The assassination also came against a backdrop of protests and civil unrest over high fuel prices and alleged corruption, with demonstrators calling for the country’s government to resign.

A presidential sash is placed on the coffin of former President Jovenel Moise during his funeral in July

(AFP)

Conrad Duncan August 15, 2021 11:20

1629021216

You can find images below that show some destruction in Haiti yesterday after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake:

(Environmental Protection Agency)

(Environmental Protection Agency)

(Reuters)

Conrad Duncan August 15, 2021 10:53

Naomi Osaka has pledged her tennis award to the victims of relief in Haiti

Tennis star Naomi Osaka has pledged her support to the people of Haiti by donating her prize money from the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati to the victims of Saturday’s earthquake.

In a social media post published yesterday, Osaka, whose father is from Haiti, praised the country’s strength in the face of many hardships.

Our reporter, Harriet Bruce, has the full story below for Indy100:

Conrad Duncan August 15, 2021 10:37

1629019102 More than 300 dead as search for survivors begins in Haiti

Haitian officials work nights as the search begins for survivors after yesterday’s devastating earthquake, which killed more than 300 people.

On top of the deaths, churches, hotels, hospitals and schools were badly damaged or destroyed by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake this weekend.

You can find more details about the effects of trauma below:

Conrad Duncan August 15, 2021 10:18

1629018398

Below you can see the moment a woman and child were rescued from the rubble in Haiti after Saturday’s earthquake:

A woman and a child rescued from the rubble after the Haiti earthquake

Conrad Duncan August 15, 2021 10:06

1629017949

US President Joe Biden said his administration will provide support to Haiti as part of efforts to recover survivors:

Conrad Duncan August 15, 2021 09:59

1629017456 ActionAid says the shock will restore trauma from the 2010 earthquake

ActionAid warned that Saturday’s earthquake in Haiti “re-traumatized” the 2010 trauma that killed tens of thousands of people in the country.

The charity International Against Poverty said on Sunday that emergency teams were assessing urgent needs and preparing to respond to the natural disaster.

“Today brings back the trauma of the 2010 earthquake that ripped through Haiti. This deadly earthquake has devastated homes and infrastructure in some of Haiti’s most vulnerable and marginalized communities,” said Angeline Anistos, Country Director for ActionAid Haiti.

“In Jeremy, one of the worst-affected areas, our team is helping with rescue efforts as families try hard to pull their loved ones out from under the rubble. Unfortunately, we expect the death toll to continue to rise.

“We are assessing what people urgently need and preparing to respond by providing food, temporary shelter and essential items such as blankets and hygiene kits for women and girls.”

Ms. Anestos added: “Women and girls are already bearing the brunt of the multiple crises facing Haiti, including growing hunger, political instability and gang violence.

“The devastating repercussions of this earthquake could push many families into poverty and hunger.”

Conrad Duncan August 15, 2021 09:50

16,290,16,922 Hundreds dead after 7.2 magnitude earthquake devastates Haiti

More than 300 people died after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, just days before a tropical storm hit the island.

The US Geographical Survey has issued a “red alert” for the disaster, warning that the dead could number into the thousands with heavy damage expected.

Our reporters, Chiara Giordano and Sabrina Johnson, have the full story below:

Conrad Duncan August 15, 2021 09:42

[ad_2]