14th October, 2016
hurricane-mathew
Haiti Civil Protection Authority on Friday said over a week after Hurricane Matthew hit the country, the death toll had risen to 546.
Media reports indicated higher numbers of fatalities, while rescue workers in the affected areas told newsmen that the number of victims was still likely to rise.
In addition, over 500 people are now infected with cholera, with aid agencies focusing on delivering fresh water and fixing sewage infrastructure.
Matthew struck Haiti on Oct. 4, packing wind speeds of 230 kilometres per hour and causing extensive flooding, destroying homes and uprooting trees.
It later moved to hit five U.S. states causing further fatalities.
According to the UN, 1.4 million people in the impoverished Caribbean nation are in urgent need of help.