Text Only
Search

Hurricane Ike Aims at Already-Battered Haiti

06 September 2008

Haiti is bracing for more severe weather while still recovering from Tropical Storm Hanna, which caused severe flooding and left over 500 people dead.

Hurricane Ike, 06 Sep 2008
Hurricane Ike, 06 Sep 2008
U.S. weather forecasters issued a tropical storm warning Saturday from the northern border with the Dominican Republic to the Haitian city of Gonaives as Hurricane Ike moves across the Caribbean.

Classified as a category three hurricane, Ike has wind speeds of 175 kilometers per hour but is expected to strengthen again.  It is expected to pass near or over the Turks and Caicos islands and the southeastern Bahamas later Saturday or Sunday, and is also expected to hit Cuba.

International aid efforts are underway to help thousands of Haitians who have been without food and clean water for days as a result of massive flooding caused by a series of storms and hurricanes.

People cross an area flooded by heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hanna in Savan Desole, Haiti, 03 Sep 2008
People cross an area flooded by heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hanna in Savan Desole, Haiti, 03 Sep 2008
The United Nations plans to distribute 19 tons of high-energy biscuits and 50 tons of clean water in Haiti.  The United States has also pledged aid, including emergency medical kits and plastic sheeting.

Meanwhile, the European Union announced it is giving the impoverished country $2.8 million to help the victims.

Aid efforts are an answer to Haitian President René Preval's call for international help.  Mr. Preval says the situation in his country is catastrophic.

 

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.

 

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
UN: Hurricanes, Floods Create Huge Problems in Caribbean, Africa, South Asia
American Red Cross Prepares for Oncoming Storms
Haitians Struggle to Recover as Tropical Storm Hanna Aims at US
 
  Top Story
Ousted Honduran President Heads to El Salvador to Meet Regional Leaders

  More Stories
Obama En Route to Russia Summit  Audio Clip Available
Top Iran Religious Body Criticizes Election Results
Two British Soldiers Killed in Afghanistan
Netanyahu Calls for 'Two States for Two Peoples';  Audio Clip Available
Ghana Prepares for Obama Visit  Video clip available
Pakistani Airstrikes Kill 6 Militants in North Waziristan
Biden Celebrates US Independence Day with Troops in Iraq
Nigeria's Oil Communities Blame Oil Industry for Misery
Olympic Stars Phelps and Torres to Headline US National Swimming Championships
Obama Calls on Americans to 'Summon Spirit' of Founding Fathers  Audio Clip Available
Bulgarian Elections Overshadowed by Reports of 'Vote Buying'
Heavy Sandstorm Blankets Baghdad
Serena Williams Beats Sister for Wimbledon Title
Australia's Aborigines at Risk as Swine Flu Outbreak Escalates  Audio Clip Available