Earlier today (Aug. 14), a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti. In response to the disastrous quake, social media erupted with concern, prayers, well-wishes and grief. According to Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency, at least 304 people have died and hundreds were injured and missing.
On Twitter, President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Rick Ross, Cardi B, Naomi Osaka and many others shared their thoughts on what has become yet another tragic natural disaster for the Caribbean nation.
“In what is already a challenging time for the people of Haiti, I am saddened by the devastating earthquake that occurred in Saint-Louis du Sud, Haiti this morning. Through USAID, we are supporting efforts to assess the damage and assist efforts to recover and rebuild,” President Biden tweeted.
Vice President Harris echoed the president’s statement: “Our thoughts are with the people of Haiti after the terrible earthquake. We pray for the victims and their loved ones. The United States is moving quickly to assess damage and assist in recovery,” she tweeted.
Tennis superstar Naomi Osaka, who is half-Haitian, offered to donate the winnings from her upcoming tournament to Haiti. “Really hurts to see all the devastation that’s going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can’t catch a break. I’m about to play a tournament this week and I’ll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti. I know our ancestors blood is strong we’ll keep rising,” she tweeted.
“Haiti birth some of the strongest spirits and people I know but now is when we must pray and extend ourselves to the people and Haiti,” Rick Ross chimed in. Hashtag Haiti trended on Twitter all-day Saturday (Aug. 14). Amid the images of ruined buildings, visuals of Haitians searching for family, and donation requests, Cardi B also spoke out about Haiti’s earthquake. “I got a soft spot for Haiti and it’s people. They my cousins,” she tweeted. “I pay for Haiti they go thru so much. God please cover that land and it’s people.”
Check out more tweets below: