UN rushes to help relief efforts in Haiti after sudden rainstorm strikes

United Nations aid workers are rushing to provide assistance in Haiti after a sudden rainstorm yesterday swept the capital, Port-au-Prince, whose residents are still trying to recover from January’s catastrophic earthquake.

Media reports say at least five people in Port-au-Prince have died as a result of the storm, which was brief but sharp and brought heavy rains and high winds to the city, including the many camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have been homeless since the quake.

At least 1 million Haitians are still living in tent camps or makeshift housing, eight months after the earthquake struck the country, killing around 200,000 people.

More than 40 teams comprising staff from the UN, aid agencies and the Haitian Government have fanned out across Port-au-Prince to assess the damage, and a separate aerial assessment is also being conducted.

Blue helmets serving with the UN peacekeeping mission, known as MINUSTAH, are also deployed across the city and helping residents who have been trapped by the storm or otherwise need assistance.

UN aid workers have started distributing emergency supplies, including food, blankets, tarpaulins and hygiene kits.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon voiced sadness today at the loss of life and damage caused by the storm and offered his condolences to the families of the victims.

“The Secretary-General welcomes the generosity of donors who have responded to this and other crises this year, including the devastating floods in Pakistan,” according to a statement issued by his spokesperson.

He stressed the need for donors to continue to support post-quake relief and recovery efforts across Haiti, with an estimated $450 million in additional funding still required.