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Aug 22, 2021 - Politics & Policy

Haiti struggles to distribute aid as earthquake death toll tops 2,200

headshot
Haitians quarrel over a bag of food as part of the humanitarian aid

Earthquake victims quarrel over a bag of food as part of the humanitarian aid in Les Cayes, Haiti. Photo: Richard Pierrin/Getty Images

The death toll from last weekend's earthquake in Haiti has climbed to more than 2,200, with 344 people still missing, the country's Civil Protection Agency said Sunday.

The big picture: The updated toll comes as the government and relief groups struggle to distribute aid due to the security situation in the country, AP reports. Relief operations are underway but face difficulties due to local gangs, who control access to certain areas and have hijacked some aid trucks.

  • More than 12,260 people were injured in the quake, and an estimated 53,000 houses were destroyed, officials said.

In photos

The severely damaged road to Camp-Perrin leading to Jeremie, is viewed after the earthquake near Camp-Perrin, Haiti on Aug. 16.
A severely damaged road to Camp-Perrin leading to Jeremie is seen on Aug. 16. Photo: Reginald Louissaint Jr./AFP via Getty Images
A bulldozer clears the rubble of a building that collapsed in the earthquake in Brefet, Haiti, on Aug. 17.
A bulldozer clears the rubble of a building that collapsed in the earthquake in Brefet, Haiti. Photo: Reginald Louissaint Jr./AFP via Getty Images
People make repairs and create shelter, after spending the night outside in the aftermath of the earthquake in Les Cayes, Haiti, on Aug. 17.
People gather in a makeshift camp in Les Cayes, Haiti. Photo: Reginald Louissaint Jr./AFP via Getty Images
A man throws a bag of rice into a crowd of earthquake victims gathered for the distribution of food and water at Les Cayes, Haiti, on Aug. 20.
A man throws a bag of rice into a crowd of earthquake victims gathered to receive food and water in Les Cayes, Haiti. Photo: Reginald Louissaint Jr./AFP via Getty Images
People stand by the debris of a collapsed building on Aug. 16 in Haiti.
People stand by the debris of a collapsed building on Aug. 16 in Haiti. Photo: Richard Pierrin/Getty Images
People walk over a pile of rubble from a collapsed building in Les Cayes, Haiti, on Aug. 16.
People walk over a pile of rubble from a collapsed building in Les Cayes, Haiti, on Aug. 16. Photo: Richard Pierrin/Getty Images
People clean up what remains of their home, as the small houses near the coast were severely damaged after the earthquake in Port-a-Piment, Haiti on Aug. 16.
People clean up what remains of their home in Port-a-Piment, Haiti, on Aug. 16. Photo: Reginald Louissaint Jr./AFP via Getty Images

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