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Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has declared a state of emergency after at least 29 people were reportedly killed when a 7.2 earthquake hit Haiti this morning.
The epicenter of the earthquake was 7.5 miles northeast of Saint-Louis du Sud according to the US Geological Survey. As the news of yet another disaster in Haiti circulated, New York politicians are expressing concern over this latest catastrophe.
New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte, the first Haitian-American elected in New York City, said the following on Twitter: “Praying for #Haiti & sister islands Jamaica & DR, today in the wake of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit this morning. To my friends & family there, pls take precautions for potential aftershocks. NYC stands strong with Haiti.”
“The situation unfolding in Haiti right now is devastating and deeply concerning,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “Over the past few weeks, the Haitian people have endured so much pain and suffering, and today, they have been rocked by yet another disaster. We must do all we can to support the Haitian people both in the immediate aftermath of this earthquake and in the months to come. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and our Haitian communities here in New York.”
The Congressional Haiti Caucus co-chairs, which includes Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, who represents New York’s ninth district, and New York Congressman Mondaire Jones released the following statement:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti, especially in the Department of Nippes and the nearby cities of Les Cayes and Jeremie, as well as any others in surrounding countries affected by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck near the town of Petit Trou de Nippes early this morning. This earthquake could not have come at a worse time for the people of Haiti; the nation is in the throes of a political crisis, the effects of the compounding COVID-19 pandemic, and is still recovering from the disastrous earthquake that hit the island’s southern peninsula more than a decade ago. We remain committed to championing adequate aid to the region, supporting bilateral relations and policies that will ensure Haiti’s full economic and political recovery, and the emergence of a durable, Haitian-led democracy.”
“Absolutely devastating news. The people of Haiti are resilient but have endured far too much tragedy,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are working with community leaders to get immediate aid to Haiti. Chirlane and I are keeping our Haitian neighbors in New York and on the island in our thoughts and prayers.”
