Denver- An Earthquake that struck the Caribbean island of Haiti on Saturday morning has left at least 1,300 people dead, and several thousands more injured.
The earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.2 on the Richter scale. In addition to the death toll, the earthquake also damaged a large part of the country’s infrastructure, and displaced thousands of people after homes and businesses throughout the country were destroyed.
To make matters worse, the US National Hurricane Agency reported that an upcoming storm, known as Tropical Storm Grace, was set to reach the country on Monday night. In addition to heavy rains, floods, and landslides, the storm is likely to bring more destruction to the island.
According to news reports, the earthquake centered around the southwestern portion of the island, approximately 80 miles west of the capital Port-Au-Prince. Local residents in the region have complained about a lack of government support after the devastating earthquake. Many in the affected areas prayed to God after the devastation, as they tried to recover what little belongings remained after the destruction.
The country’s healthcare infrastructure, already severely underdeveloped, is struggling to accommodate the massive amounts of wounded being brought in every day. One surgeon interviewed by the New York Times reported he was “the only surgeon” near the affected region of Les Cayes. Numerous aid groups including Doctors Without Borders, Mercy Corps, and USAID have deployed response groups to assist in both medical care and search and rescue operations.
The devastation in Haiti comes less than two months after the assasination of President Jovenel Moise in the capital. His death has left a massive leadership dilemma in the country, severely hampering the central government’s abilities to respond to the natural disaster. Interim President Ariel Henry tweeted early Monday morning that government officials are conducting a “more precise assessment of the situation,” however it is unclear how effective the government’s efforts will really be in assisting the devastated people of Haiti.
