Update: Death toll now more than 2,100 as Haiti digs out from major earthquake
Editor's Note
A major earthquake hit already reeling Haiti Saturday morning Aug. 14, 2021. The New York Times first reported the 7.2 quake collapsed buildings and caused heavy damage in at least two cities. The quake was felt as far away as Jamaica. The death toll rose to more than 2,100 as of Aug. 19, but those numbers are expected to climb. More than 12,000 have been injured.
Aid has been coming in, but not enough is reaching the stricken parts of Haiti as damaged roads and other infrastructure hampers aid efforts. The Associated Press reports that the earthquake and series of aftershocks have damaged or destroyed more than 19,000 homes. Thousands of people are homeless and many have been waiting days for medical treatment.
According to the United States Geological Survey, the earthquake was centered just off the coast about five miles from the town of Petit Trout de Nippes about 80 miles west of Port-au-Prince. There have been several large aftershocks that have rocked the region.
Pictures and videos of the damage and of injured people being rescued circulated widely on social media.
The United States Tsunami Warning Center issued a tsunami warning for "some coasts," but there were no reports of major tsunami waves.
(Screenshot courtesy United States Geological Survey)
Haiti has been beset by crisis including food shortages and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse July 7. Haiti also suffered another major earthquake back in 2010 that killed some 200,000 people and left much of the country in ruins.
The prime minister and interim president Ariel Henry declared a state of emergency, and said, "I offer my sympathy to the parents of the victims of this violent earthquake that has caused loss of human life and material damager in several departments of the country."
A White House official told news outlet the Hill that President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, "were briefed by the National Security Advisor and the Secretary of State on the earthquake this morning in Haiti."
President Biden has reportedly authorized aid, and appointed USAID (United States Agency for International Development) Administrator Samantha Powers to coordinate this effort.
You can donate via UNICEF at their dedicated Haiti relief page here.
Food for the Poor – a relief agency – said they had just delivered food to three distribution centers, but are asking for donations. CEO Ed Raine, in a statement to the press said, "Once again, we wake up to news from Haiti that breaks our hearts and calls on us to respond immediately to those affected by this devastating earthquake."
Raine also said, "This could not have come at a worse time for this country that is reeling still from the assassination of President Jovenel Moise and that just narrowly escaped a tropical storm. No matter what comes for Haiti, we stand with the people of Haiti."
Food for the Poor has set up a donation page for relief efforts: Go to www.foodforthepoor.org/haitiemergency to give.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees