After a devastating 7.2-magnitude earthquake hit south-western Haiti, “the level of destruction and desperation is becoming increasingly evident”, according to the United Nations, noting that the death toll has surged to nearly 2,000. 

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said that as the official tally of deaths and destruction continues to grow, those injured have already surpass 9,900. 

The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that Civil protection authorities are urging extreme vigilance on the part of affected people as the combination of heavy rains and possible aftershocks from the earthquake could bring down the cracked walls and roofs of damaged home

The death toll has surged to nearly 2,000, with over 9,900 reported injured. At least 500,000 people need emergency assistance in the affected areas.

UNICEF estimates that some 1.2 million people, including 540,000 children, have been affected by the earthquake and about half a million Haitian children have limited or no access to shelter, safe water, health care and nutrition.  

The UN agency estimates that it will need $15 million to respond to the most urgent needs of at least 385,000 people, including 167,000 children under the age of five for a period of eight weeks. 

The Organisation for Human Rights Defence (OADO)   

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