The United Nations and its partners are on standby to provide relief after Haiti was on Tuesday hit by an earthquake, in addition to floods and landslides, said a UN spokesman.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life, destruction of property and suffering of the Haitian people caused by the earthquake,” said Stephane Dujarric, the chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

“The secretary-general extends his condolences to the families of the victims and wishes a speedy recovery to all those injured,” Mr Dujarric added.

A 5.5-magnitude earthquake hit the southern city of Jeremie in the Department of Grand’Anse on Tuesday morning.

The area was already affected by torrential rains over the weekend that triggered deadly floods and landslides.

The quake has left at least four people dead and 36 others injured, news reports said, quoting civil protection authorities.

Mr Dujarric said the UN stands ready to work with the Haitian authorities and other partners to help ease the suffering of those in need.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said it is working with the UN Children’s Fund and the World Food Programme (WFP).

It is also working with the International Organisation for Migration (IMO) to support communities hardest hit by the floods and landslides around the capital city of Port-au-Prince.

The WFP reported preparations to distribute about 350,000 hot meals and other food assistance to those needing it the most.

The floods and landslides affected seven of Haiti’s 10 departments, and the authorities reported at least 51 people killed, 140 others injured and 18 missing, OCHA said.

In the affected areas, nearly 32,000 homes were flooded.

In addition to the natural disasters that damaged roads, hampering relief efforts is Haiti’s security situation, OCHA said.

The nation has suffered for months from extreme gang violence and control in large areas of the capital and elsewhere.

(Xinhua/NAN)