News

Fresh misery for displaced citizens as aftershock shakes Haiti

20 January 2010

Even as the international aid effort makes begins way into Haiti following the devastating earthquake of eight days ago, more trouble has come to the shattered country. Earlier today a second earthquake, measuring a 6.1 magnitude shook the capital city.

But although Haiti's citizens still await each aftershock in fear, there is at least some progress in the relief effort. Aid money has poured in from around the world and US, UN and World Food Programme task forces have been securing water supplies and food for Haiti's displaced population. Meanwhile many citizens have heeded government advice and have moved away from the city to stay with relatives further away.

Nonetheless, many citizens are still sleeping outside with nowhere to go since the original quake. Securing food and essential supplies is vital in order to stop people turning to violence or crime in their desparation. UN OCHA list medical supplies, handling of corpses, food, water, sanitation and shelter as their top priorities.

A UN Fact sheet is available here, and the emergency update can be accessed here. Find some extra pictures here.