Rare tornado in Haiti leaves 50 injured, 300 homeless

Haiti: A significant tornado in northwest Haiti left over 300 families homeless while destroying 200 houses and leaving at least 50 people injured on Tuesday. This rare occasion has left the residents distraught while the authorities are making their best efforts to protect each life. 

According to the United Nations, the Haitian weather authorities have warned of landslides and flooding after the storm on Tuesday on the Caribbean country which is one of the poorest in the world and is more prone to natural disasters. 

The office noted that at least 10 people are seriously injured, with local media reporting they were hospitalized. Homes and businesses were also destroyed, cars were smashed and debris were scattered across the landscape.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, on Wednesday, said that the local Red Cross and civil protection agency were providing aid as well as assessing damages at the worst hit area of Bassin Bleu which is around 25 km south of Port-de-Paix.

The authorities added that over 360,000 people are already internally displaced in Haiti as per estimates with most of them hailing from the capital Port-au-Prince because of a conflict with armed gangs who have taken over most of the city. 

Several people are at present staying in makeshift camps while some have even travelled south. Meanwhile, a deployment of Kenyan police officers to lead an international anti-gang force intended to assist national police restore security is expected to land this week in the small island nation. 

Meanwhile, with the onset of the rainy season, the UN has warned of growing risks from waterborne diseases including cholera, especially for people who are displaced. 

The civil protection agency of Haiti has also announced that heavy rain is anticipated for most of the French-speaking country which also includes the area hit by the tornado with warning of possible flooding and landslides.