7.2 earthquake in Haiti: Death toll reaches 304, more than 2,000 injured

A magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook southwestern Haiti on Saturday, killing at least 304 people and injuring more than 200. Due to the earthquake, hundreds of houses collapsed. The earthquake took people to the streets, and who later helped the rescue services evacuate the people who were buried under the rubble of houses, hotels and other structures.Some cities were completely destroyed by Saturday's earthquake, and landslides affected rescue efforts between two communities badly affected by the quake. Due to the earthquake, the suffering of the people of Haiti, who was already badly affected by the pandemic, increased even more. The nation is already in crisis with the assassination of the country's president and growing poverty.The crisis is expected to escalateThe earthquake epicentre was about 125 kilometres from the capital Port and Prince. The crisis could escalate further as Hurricane Grace is predicted to reach Haiti between Monday or Tuesday. Tremors were felt throughout the day and into the night after the earthquake. Homeless people, people whose homes are on the brink of collapse, have been on the streets all night.Prime Minister Ariel Henry said aid is being sent to places where cities have been destroyed, and hospitals are full of patients. Jerry Chandler, director of the Haiti Civil Defense Agency, said the death toll was 304 and was the highest number of casualties in the south of the country. The hospitals continue to transport the injured. About 860 houses were destroyed and more than 700 damaged.[caption id="attachment_36850" align="aligncenter" width="100%"] People in Haiti stand next to a devastated building[/caption]US President Joe Biden has appointed USAID Administrator Samantha Power as Coordinating Officer to provide US assistance to Haiti. USAID helps rebuild the rating and damage. Many countries, including Argentina, Chile, have offered assistance.The earthquake snatched away the shelter from people; hundreds are now homeless and forced to stay on the streets for months or maybe years because the country is experiencing a surge in poverty as daily income is lesser than $1.