Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Oct 5, 2016 / 14:48 pm
Hurricane Matthew caused severe damage and several deaths in Haiti, and relief workers have already started to evaluate the damage.
"Catholic Relief Services teams are out today to get a sense of the level of damage in Les Cayes and surrounding areas and to determine the greatest needs," Catholic Relief Services communications director Kim Pozniak told CNA Oct. 5. "Our response is likely to include distribution of potable water, hygiene and kitchen kits and shelter materials."
The supplies were pre-positioned in a Les Cayes warehouse, Pozniak said, adding that if they are undamaged "we're ready to respond as soon as we determine the areas of greatest need."
The hurricane made landfall on Haiti at 7 a.m. local time Oct. 4 with winds up to 145 mph. The storm has passed Cuba and is in the Bahamas, and is set to arrive in Florida by Thursday in a weakened form. Some Florida residents are being evacuated from their homes. The storm is also expected to affect Georgia and the Carolinas.