Haiti Death Toll Nears 500 As Aid Groups Struggle To Reach Thousands

Gonaives, Haiti (AHN) - The death toll in Haiti nears 500 in the aftermath of tropical storm Hanna, which is now working it's way up the eastern coast of the U.S., local reports said.

Around 495 bodies had been found when floodwaters receded in the northern town of Gonaives and the death toll could get higher. One of the officials said that the smell of the dead is very unpleasant in the region.

The deaths were caused by severe floods and landslides in Haiti, while the United Nations aid workers struggle to reach thousands starving across the country.

A ship carrying 33 tons of United Nations relief supplies arrived on the outskirts of Gonaives on Friday, which is the first significant aid to help approximately 600,000 people starving and struggle in the wake of storm.

The already impoverished country, which faced food crisis threatening the country's vulnerable security, holds 8.5 million people with only marginal number of people earning less than two dollars per day.

After the tropical storm, more than a quarter of a million people have been left homeless and hungry.

The newly elected Prime Minister Michele Pierre-Louis claimed that her government is taking necessary measures to help victims.

While the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies have been appealing for donations, asking for $3.4m in aid.