Aid plea as Haiti death toll tops 700

The interim president of Haiti, President Boniface Alexandre, yesterday appealed to world leaders for aid as the death toll from the country's second flooding disaster in four months reached more than 700.

Mr Alexandre made his plea at the UN in New York after the tropical storm Jeanne inundated many cities at the weekend and mudslides buried houses.

"In the face of this tragedy, I appeal urgently for the solidarity of the international community," Mr Alexandre said. The US government pledged an immediate $60,000 (£33,500) in aid.

The worst damage was in the north-western coastal city of Gonaives, where at least 550 people died when a three-metre wall of water and mud destroyed large areas of the town. More than 100 other people died in the region.

Last night the disaster was blamed on deforestation, which has left communities vulnerable to flash floods.

"Deforestation is a huge factor in this disaster", said Luis Clemens, Caribbean spokesman for Oxfam, speaking from Mexico City.

"It means that you have mudslides and roads washed away and what would be a tropical storm elsewhere has hurricane effects in Haiti."

The mountainous country which was once heavily forested now has less than 2% tree cover. This has has led to severe soil erosion which allows water to rush off the steep slopes.

Most trees have been cut down to make charcoal for cooking. A recent UN environmental report described Haiti as "one of the most degraded countries in the world."

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http://www.guardian.co.uk/naturaldisasters/story/0,7369,1309962,00.html