Haiti (Updated) – 42 Dead, 11 Missing After Flooding and Landslides Cause Widespread Damage

Update: 06 June 2023
In an update of 05 June 2023, Civil Protection in Haiti reported at least 42 people have ow died as a result of severe flooding across the country from 0that began on 03 June. Furthermore 11 are reported still missing and 85 people have suffered injuries. Of the total fatalities, 19 people died in the commune of Léogâne in the Ouest department.

Civil Protection said more than 13,500 houses have been flooded, affecting a total of 12,779 families and resulting in the evacuation of 6,334 people.

Original report: 05 June 2023
Heavy rainfall in Haiti over the past few days has resulted in severe flooding and landslides, inflicting significant damage across the country. The capital city of Port-au-Prince and the Ouest Departments have been particularly affected, with hospitals and other structures suffering damage. In addition, a bridge near Jérémie in the Grand’Anse Department has been destroyed, exacerbating the situation.

The relentless downpours that commenced on 01 June 2023, intensified during the early hours of 03 June, leading to overflowing rivers and triggering numerous landslides. In some cases, the situation was further exacerbated by blocked drainage channels and bodies of water.

According to official reports, at least 15 individuals have lost their lives as a result of the disaster, while eight people remain missing. Regrettably, the death toll is anticipated to rise as search and rescue operations continue.

To ensure the safety of its citizens, authorities have carried out the evacuation of 13,390 individuals across multiple departments, including Ouest, Nippes, Sud-Est, Nord-Ouest, and Centre.

Around 7,475 families have been affected, mostly in the Ouest department where 5,510 households were affected and over 2,539 households were displaced from their homes. Haiti’s Civil Protection reported at least 1,219 houses severely damaged by flooding across the country.

The agricultural sector in the Centre department has also suffered severe repercussions from the flooding, adding to the already dire situation.

Responding to the crisis, the government has established the National Emergency Operations Center (COUN) to coordinate and mobilize resources for disaster relief efforts.

Tragically, a separate incident unfolded off the coast of Côte-de-Fer, where an overloaded boat capsized. The incident claimed the life of one person, while 14 individuals were successfully rescued.

An earthquake of 4.2 was registered near Abricot in Grand’Anse Department on 04 June.