Across the Northeast many people are without a home and many more are without power in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. But as bad as the damage has been for residents here, for people in developing countries like Haiti who are already struggling to meet their basic needs, the storm’s impact is even more serious.
Sandy was a category-one hurricane when it clipped Haiti last week on its way north. Strong winds and heavy rain caused extensive flood crop damage, leading to fears of a growing food crisis. Aid workers are also warning that flooding could cause a sharp rise in cholera cases, which has claimed 7,500 lives since 2010.
The BBC with more details on the food crisis:
Another big worry is the damage to the agriculture sector. More than 70% of crops, including bananas, plantains and maize, was destroyed in the south of the country, officials said. Food insecurity, particularly in this part of Haiti, was already a major concern. Rising food prices have in the past trigger at times violent demonstrations in Haiti.
The Haitian Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, called the hurricane a “disaster of epic proportions”. Sandy caused 70 deaths across the Caribbean, mostly in regions already facing serious economic challenges.