St Vincent and the Grenadines will make an initial donation to the Caribbean nation of Haiti in the amount of USD $100,000. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves on Monday 16th August 2021
The initial donation follows a 7.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked the Caribbean island on Saturday. At least 1,297 people are known to have died in the 7.2-magnitude quake and an unknown number are still missing.
Gonsalves on Monday called on other CARICOM countries and the Caribbean family to assist Haiti with immediate humanitarian assistance.
Rescue workers are rushing to locate survivors of the deadly earthquake that struck Haiti on Saturday as a tropical storm is heading towards the Caribbean nation.
Tropical Depression Grace is expected to pass over the worst affected area later on Monday.
It is feared heavy rain brought by Grace could trigger landslides.
Roads already made impassable by the quake could be further damaged by the rains, so aid teams are racing to get essential provisions to the quake-hit region before Grace hits.
Search and rescue teams have been arriving from the United States and Chile, with more on the way from Mexico. Cuban medical teams are already in Haiti and helping people.
Humanitarian organisations say survivors need drinking water and shelter. More than 30,000 families have reportedly been left homeless.
Homes, churches and schools were among buildings flattened in the quake. Some hospitals were left overwhelmed and in need of supplies as they struggled to treat the injured, of whom there are an estimated 5,700.
The earthquake compounds problems facing the impoverished nation, which is already reeling from a political crisis following the assassination of its president last month.
