CARICOM ready to assist
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) said it is ready to assist the people of Haiti who are reeling from today's (Aug. 14) massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake that reportedly left at least 300 people dead.
Photos and videos from the CARICOM nation showed the devastation of the quake, which struck around 8:29 a.m.
According to the United States Geological Service, the quake also affected The Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States Minor Outlying Islands and Cuba.
CARICOM’s Head, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Brown, said the Caribbean Community is deeply saddened at reports of loss of life and significant damage in Haiti following today’s major earthquake.
Browne immediately held discussions with the Prime Minister of Haiti, Ariel Henry, and assured him that CARICOM stands ready to assist.
Prime Minister Browne extended his sympathy to Prime Minister Henry and to the people of Haiti on the loss of life, and expressed his wishes for a full and speedy recovery of the injured.
Homes, other buildings and infrastructure have been destroyed, particularly in the southwestern cities of Les Cayes and Jeremie.
Media reports placed the casualties at 304, with a large number of people still unaccounted for, and those injured were said to be seen lying in the streets awaiting assistance.
The island is no stranger to strong earthquakes, as it is still picking up the pieces from a strong quake that struck back in 2010. In that instance, officials placed the death toll at more than 200,000.
All of this comes at a time when the island is still in mourning from the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse.
