PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – Prime Minister Dr Ariel Henry on Saturday appealed for assistance as the death toll from the powerful 7.2 earthquake mounted in the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
“I appeal to the spirit of solidarity and commitment of all Haitians, in order to come together to face this dramatic situation that we are currently experiencing.
“I extend my sympathies to the parents of the victims of this violent earthquake which caused several losses in human and material lives in several geographical departments of the country,” said Henry, who has since declared a state of emergency. It will last for one month, he said.
Hospitals have become overwhelmed as large numbers of persons arrive for treatment and the Immaculate Conception Hospital in Les Cayes has appealed for help to obtain drugs as well as additional resources to deal with the situation.
“We are receiving a lot of displaced people. We are overwhelmed. We are calling for help. We need doctors, nurses, medicine,” a spokesman said.
The Directorate of Civil Protection (DPC) said the death toll from Saturday’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake had risen to more than 200.
“The death toll from the earthquake has risen to 227, including 158 in the South hundreds of wounded and missing,” the DPC said.
It said the first response, carried out by both professional rescuers and members of the public, made it possible to extract many people from the rubble. Hospitals continue to receive injuries.
The Joe Biden administration also mobilised help via the United States Agency for International Development. (CMC)
