October 10, 2016 (PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti) – As the death toll soars past 1,000 in Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Matthew, World Concern is reaching survivors in the south and southwest regions of the impoverished island nation with urgently needed supplies.

Yesterday, hundreds of people in the hard hit community of St. Jean de Sud received food and emergency supplies from World Concern and their Integral Alliance partners. And in the coming days, much needed household water filters—which will aid in preventing the spread of cholera and water-borne diseases—will be distributed to families in Les Cayes. Additional families are receiving shelter materials and supplies—but thousands more are in need.

World Concern Disaster Response Director Chris Sheach, who is on the ground in Haiti, says entire communities are devastated and the needs are overwhelming.

World Concern is now focusing on reaching thousands whose homes were lost or damaged, providing a 2-week supply of emergency food, shelter materials, and access to clean water through household water filters. The increased threat of cholera and other water-borne diseases is high, so providing access to safe drinking water is a top priority.

The full extent of the damage from Matthew is yet to be known, but the UN is calling Hurricane Matthew’s devastation in Haiti the worst humanitarian crisis the country has seen since the 2010 earthquake, with an estimated 750,000 people in need of aid.

Anyone wishing to help can provide a family with an emergency survival kit for $48 by donating online at www.worldconcern.org.