Caribbean Nations Crushed By Hurricane Matthew In Dire Need Of Help
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Caribbean nations crushed by Hurricane Matthew are in dire need of help.
In Haiti, the death toll is soaring as more information comes in from remote areas previously cut off by the storm.
The central government's official death toll stood at nearly 300, but authorities doing the on-ground assessment in remote corners of the southwestern peninsula said it would likely be significantly higher when the full accounting was complete.
Matthew, still a Category 4 when it hit the island chain, created a trail of destruction.
Video captured a roof being ripped straight off a home in Nassau.
Heavy rains and strong winds downed trees, flooded roads and caused residents to lose power.
Snapshots from great Inagua showed the storm's power. Homes were left severely damaged, streets were covered in debris and trucks were tossed on their side.
Matthew pummeled Baracoa on the eastern tip of the island with a large storm surge and 100-mph winds.
And it still may be a while longer before when know the storm's full impact as Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas work to pick up the pieces.
The United Nations is calling Hurricane Matthew the worst humanitarian disaster to hit Haiti in years.
Across the Caribbean, more than 300,000 people are in emergency shelters. Red Cross shelters are reportedly in short supply of food, water and medicine.
Humanitarian aid is pouring in, but more is needed.
The Archdiocese of Miami is asking the public for bulk donations of food and hygiene products to send to the people of Haiti and Cuba.
"We are looking also for monetary donations to facilitate the transportation of goods and so that we can respond immediately to the people," said Father Reginald Jean-Mary, the pastor of Notre Dame d'Haiti Church.
Archbishop Thomas Wenski has asked all Archdiocese of Miami pastors to hold a special collection during all masses on Saturday and Sunday.
The funds raised will be used to help those affected by Hurricane Matthew in the Caribbean and the U.S.
Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation can do so through Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Miami's website.
Food For The Poor is also accepting monetary donations. To help right now, please call 1-800-427-9104 or visit their website. For those who would rather donate goods, they are accepting canned meats, canned fish and canned milk at their Coconut Creek warehouse at 6401 Lyons Road.
