Desperate Haitians storm aid convoys after quake
PORT-AU-PRINCE: Survivors of Haiti’s devastating earthquake looted an aid convoy on Friday as the impoverished Caribbean nation scrambled to roll out a relief effort haunted by chaotic responses to past natural disasters.
The mobbing of relief supplies and tumultuous handouts underscored the desperation in the wake of last week’s powerful tremor, which killed more than 2,000 people and destroyed or damaged more than 130,000 homes.
The 7.2-magnitude earthquake robbed tens of thousands of Haitians of everything they owned, with the hunt for necessities like clean water and food now a daily struggle for many.
While humanitarian convoys have begun distributing aid, the quantities have been insufficient and those tasked with delivering supplies often lack logistical expertise.
Chaotic scenes were captured by an AFP photographer on Friday in Les Cayes, one of the hardest-hit cities, as bags of rice were handed out to clamoring crowds.
Looters stormed one of two supply trucks before law enforcement intervened, according to the photographer, with the remaining goods haphazardly handed out at the police station.
Haitians have had to rely on the generosity of their neighbours and relatives, many of whom have little to spare.
“I have a friend who came from (the capital) Port-au-Prince to
bring me water and food, and I shared that with my neighbours. He also gave me some clothes,” said Marcel Francois, a father of two who was dragged from the rubble in the wake of the quake
after three hours of being buried under concrete.
From the ruins of his house on the road connecting Les Cayes to the airport, he has a front-row seat to the recovery efforts.