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The rapidly deteriorating situation in Haiti under the potentially disastrous effect of Matthew
4/10/2016 6:57:00 Author (s) The Editors
English
The situation deteriorated rapidly in the South of Haiti under the effect of the first demonstrations of the powerful hurricane Matthew, when thousands of people flock to the temporary shelters, according to official information.
Following a marine submersion, several coastal towns were flooded, including Port-Hi, where one person died. This has not had time to evacuate his home, reports a waterfront AlterPresse.
The information was confirmed by civil protection, which also announced that five houses were destroyed and plantations in Port-Hi where losses were recorded in livestock level.
Other cities like South AnseDHainault, Tiburon, Les Cayes, Boucan Chardonniere The Irishman, Lady Mary, The English Bariadelle and Petite Rivière also suffered flooding.
Some panic was observed in several regions of the country when the effects of the Category 4 hurricane began to be felt.
More than 6,400 people flocked to temporary shelters in the South and West where the wind and rain increased in intensity during the night rather long for the residents of several neighborhoods in the metropolitan area.
Within two hours the amount of people taking refuge in shelters has doubled. For over 24 hours, the authorities struggled to move people living in areas at risk, including in coastal slums of the capital.
"The danger is in front of us," warned the president Jocelerme Privert in a speech in the media on the evening of 3 October. He called for "solidarity" and to preserve the lives of everyone.
375-625 mm of rain should be dumped on the southern zones of the country, which, because of deforestation, has become extremely vulnerable.
Heavy flooding also risk provoking a resurgence of cholera, including lifts are observed at each rainy season, since the epidemic was triggered in 2010 by the negligence of the soldiers of the UN mission.
The interior minister, Francois Annick Joseph, said that 1300 schools have been turned into temporary shelters in the most exposed areas.
In these areas also, prisons in the vicinity of the sea, were evacuated.
Equipment was positioned in the South, in anticipation of possible damage to infrastructure.
The official also informed that between 200,000 and 300,000 gourdes (between 6,000 and 12,000 USD) were transferred to the municipalities, the number rises to 145.
Several mayors complained of deprivation of their municipalities and their inability to cope with any emergency. Others have anyway been able to count on the contribution of local areas.
Following a Council of Ministers during the special day of October 3, the government provided an assistance system before, during and after Hurricane Matthew, was set up.
On the other hand, the Presidency insisted that the date fixed for the holding of elections in Haiti, on October 9, "is still maintained, contrary to rumors," according to a statement.
The Provisional Electoral Council (Cep) observes the climate situation. It is too early to consider a possible postponement, says the president of the institution Leopold Berlanger, noting that the hurricane has caused some delays in the process.
In a statement, the Council asked its staff and partners to suspend activity with danger and caution. |