‘We need help’: Thousands displaced by Haiti quake demand support

Officials say the 7.2-magnitude quake destroyed or damaged thousands of homes, leaving about 30,000 families homeless.

Heavy rain from Tropical Storm Grace is forcing Haiti’s government to temporarily pause rescue efforts in the aftermath of a deadly weekend earthquake, which has left thousands of people homeless and in need of assistance across the country’s hard-hit southwest. The pause on Tuesday came after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck on Saturday morning, killing at least 1,419 people and injuring more than 6,900 others, according to the most recent figures from Haiti’s civil protection agency. The Caribbean country, already struggling to cope with COVID-19, widespread gang violence and political instability worsened in the aftermath of President Jovenel Moise’s killing last month, now faces the difficult task of rebuilding, caring for the injured, and providing emergency shelter and supplies for tens of thousands of displaced families.