Haiti earthquake has affected 1.2 million people, says UNICEF

Tropical Storm Grace, which hit the identical area late Monday "is further disrupting access to water, shelter, and other basic services," UNICEF stated in an announcement Tuesday. "Flooding and mudslides are likely to worsen the situation of vulnerable families and further complicate the humanitarian response."

"Countless Haitian families who have lost everything due to the earthquake are now living literally with their feet in the water due to the flooding," he stated.

The company is distributing tarpaulins, latrines, showers, water reservoirs and hygiene kits as a part of a joint effort with companions, it stated.

There aren't any rainfall experiences or radar statement information accessible out of Haiti, however CNN meteorologists estimate that roughly 2-4 inches (60-100 millimeters) of rain has fallen over the interval from 11 a.m. EDT Monday to 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday, primarily based on estimates from a NOAA satellite tv for pc.

Satellite imagery continues to indicate thunderstorms impacting western components of Haiti, stated CNN senior meteorologist Dave Hennen. Rain will possible proceed over the quake zone till late afternoon or night Tuesday, he added.

Haiti is vulnerable to mudslides as a result of topography of the island -- the nation is residence to mountains greater than 10,000 toes tall -- and years of deforestation that has created an ecological catastrophe, stated CNN meteorologist Michael Guy. Some 42 of the nation's 50 highest mountain peaks are fully devoid of vegetation, and just one% of Haiti's major forest stays, he added.

The soil has additionally been destabilized by the latest earthquake and the aftershocks that adopted. Add heavy rain over a really quick time frame and you've got the recipe for harmful, even life-threatening mudslides, Guy stated.

Aftershocks and mudslides have obstructed the roads between the cities of Les Cayes and Jeremie, with repairs underway.

Saturday's quake destroyed and broken tens of 1000's of houses, in response to the civil safety company. It additionally blocked roads and wrecked infrastructure, making it troublesome for very important provides to achieve the affected areas.

Local hospitals have informed CNN that they're inundated with victims, and desperately in want of medical provides.

Pentagon press secretary John Kirby stated on Tuesday that US aid efforts had been targeted on "getting a clear picture of what the situation looks like on the ground... so that we can best coordinate and integrate USAID and other agency assistance to the people of Haiti."

Kirby added that 4 area hospitals from US Southern Command can be arrange in southern Haiti later this week.

The earthquake struck at 8:30 a.m. native time on Saturday, at a depth of about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles); its epicenter was about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) northeast of Saint-Louis-du-Sud within the southwest a part of the nation.

That location is about 96 kilometers (60 miles) west of the epicenter of the disastrous 7.0-magnitude quake that killed an estimated 220,000 to 300,000 folks in 2010.