Many communities along the coast in southern Haiti as well as inland have been very badly affected by the hurricane that hit the country on 4 October. The regions most affected are Grand Anse, Nippes and Sud. Sud was hit hardest, but Grand Anse and Nippes sustained severe damage and destruction.

According to evaluation by national authorities, 175,000 people have been displaced, over two million people are affected, and 1.4 million people are in need of aid. 546 people are reported dead, but the real number is very likely higher. Medical structures, already under-funded and under-resourced, were not spared: the World Health Organization reports that 23 health centres have been damaged or partially destroyed.