A major earthquake struck the island nation of southern Haiti early on Saturday, August 14. Here’s the summary of what’s going on:
- The earthquake that struck measured at a 7.2 magnitude, and succeeded in destroying buildings and infrastructure as well as killing and injuring Haitians.
- The epicentre of the quake was roughly 12km from the town of Saint-Louis du Sud and approximately 160km by road west of the capital Port-au-Prince.
- A total of 1 297 people have died and more than 5 700 have been injured according to Haiti’s civil protection agency.
- At least 13 694 homes have been destroyed with a further 12 785 damaged.
- The Haitian government has declared a state of emergency called by Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
- Hospitals have also been pushed to the brink and roads to hospitals carrying essential supplies have been blocked, as BBC reports
- The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has expressed that there are severe humanitarian access constraints.
- The government has requested specific international assistance for urban search and rescue.
- Haiti is likely to experience high winds and heavy rain from Tropical Storm Grace on Monday into Tuesday, as CNN Meteorologist Haley Brink notes.
- The storms are likely to cause further complications for recovery endeavours.
- The island nation also suffered aftershocks within the 5.1-5.2 magnitude range.
- Aid is rushing in from various countries, and Naomi Osaka as an individual is particularly standing out as she has offered all her prize money to relief efforts.
Really hurts to see all the devastation that’s going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can’t catch a break. I’m about to play a tournament this week and I’ll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti. I know our ancestors blood is strong we’ll keep rising ??❤️??
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) August 14, 2021
Twitter: @ricanjq