Aid Trucks Looted as UN Chief Visits Haiti to Assess Hurricane Damage

Angry Haitians looted aid trucks as the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon visited parts of the country hit by Hurricane Matthew, which killed 900 people.

    Ban Ki-moon said he witnessed a looting incident in Les Cayes, where he promised more aid to Haiti. He also urged countries to donate more, the (BBC) reported.

    Officials says more than 1.4 million people urgently need humanitarian help. There are also fears of a cholera outbreak, with spikes in cases and deaths reported in the south west. 

    The waterborne disease reached the island via Nepalese UN troops after the deadly earthquake in 2010, causing the deaths of nearly 10,000 people. Haitian police and UN peacekeepers used tear gas to disperse a group of 100 residents who attacked humanitarian convoys in Les Cayes on Saturday.  "We understand the impatience and the anger of the population who are waiting for emergency relief. We are doing all we can to facilitate the arrival of the assistance soon as possible," Ban said. 

    He flew over areas hit by the hurricane alongside Prime Minister Enex Jean-Charles. Some 120,000 homes were either damaged or destroyed when Category Four Hurricane Matthew swept through on 4 October with winds of 145mph (230km/h). 

    Last week, Ban called for a "massive response" to help the country, the poorest in the Americas. According to the BBC, the UN launched an emergency appeal for nearly $120 million in aid, but just a fraction of it has been raised.

Source: QNA