World Bank president Robert Zoellick has concluded a visit to Haiti to survey the damage left by four storms that ravaged the impoverished Caribbean nation in August and September.
Zoellick said Wednesday before his departure that the bank has forgiven half of Haiti's foreign debt and could forgive the rest by the middle of next year. Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere, with foreign debt of nearly $1.7 billion.
Zoellick said during his visit he saw homes, bridges, and roads damaged by the storms. He said the damage "makes your eyes pop".
The spate of hurricanes and tropical storms left nearly 800 people dead.
The World Bank has pledged $25 million in emergency grants to Haiti.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
