Prime Minister Ariel Henry revealed in a press conference that the Haitian government has proclaimed a state of emergency after a minimum of 304 people were killed in a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck the country Saturday morning.
More than 1,800 people were injured, according to the country’s civil protection administration.
”We don’t have enough supplies”
“When it involves medical needs, this is often our biggest urgency. We have began to send medications and medical personnel to the facilities that are affected,” Henry said.
“For the people that need urgent special care, we’ve evacuated a particular number of them, and that we will evacuate some more today and tomorrow.”
The state of emergency will be within the Western Department, Southern Department, Nippes, and Grand’Anse.
One hospital within the southern city of Jeremie said it’s overwhelmed with patients.
“There are tons of individuals coming in – tons of individuals ,” an administrator at the Hospital Saint Antoine told CNN. “We don’t have enough supplies.”
The hospital has found tents in its courtyard, the administrator said.
The earthquake was about 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) northeast of Saint-Louis-du-Sud and 10 kilometres deep, consistent with the US Geological Survey (USGS).
“There are reports of serious damage to homes, roads, and infrastructure,” American Red Cross spokeswoman Katie Wilkes said.
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Enormous damage south of Grand’Anse
Martine Moise, the first lady of Haiti, said her heart “hurts” after receiving news about the earthquake, which caused enormous damage south of Grand’Anse.
“The initial information that I even have received from Grand’Anse is heart-wrenching,” the primary lady said. “It hurts my heart for the youngsters , the mothers, the elderlies, the handicaps, my friends, and every one the victims of this earthquake.”
“My brothers and sisters, we’ve to place our shoulders together to return together to demonstrate our solidarity. It is our togetherness that creates up our strength and resilience. Courage, I will be able to always be by your side.” Moise added.
Prime Minister will assess extent of damage
The Haitian Prime Minister, Henry, announced a state of emergency early Saturday and visited Grand’Anse in the evening to examine the damage.
“I am currently within the Grand’Anse department to ascertain the extent of the damage so as to raised coordinate government actions on the bottom ,” Henry said during a Saturday Twitter post.
“Resources are mobilized since this morning to provide aid and assistance to the victims of this devastating earthquake,” he added.
Henry said earlier he has mobilized the government to assess and help.
