Haiti Quake Toll May Touch 50,000: World Struck by Shock and Grief

Many have already called it the second worst earthquake ever. The massive 7 magnitude quake that ripped through Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the Caribbean islands, seems to have put this under-developed nation further into darkness.

As the true extent of damage is still revealing, Red Cross and UN officials in Haiti believe that the death toll may be as high as 50,000 and about 3 million people have been rendered homeless. Many unofficial sources even claim that the death toll may even go into six figure if food, water and medical aid is not made available soon enough. The huge extent of damage can be exemplified from the complete destruction of the Presidential Palace. A visibly shaken Haitian president Rene Preval expressed extreme condolences to a grief-stricken nation, but was less concerned about getting homeless. He said he would not be able to get a sound sleep when his people would be sleeping among the dead.

Aid has started coming, but at a sluggish pace, into the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince, which was the settlement closest to the epicenter of the tuesday's earthquake. The US is sending up to 3,500 troops and 2,200 marines but correspondents say aid is so far only trickling in. President Barack Obama and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, collaborating with Brazil, Mexico, Britain and Canada will organize a conference on rebuilding in Haiti, the French presidency has announced. President Obama promised an immediate aid of $100m for Haiti's relief effort and said that efforts would be taken over the coming days for aid and long-term recovery.

Meanwhile, aid groups on ground say it is a race against time. Massive efforts are being taken to find people trapped under the debris of collapsed buildings. There's an increasing need of food, water and medicine, as well as bulldozers and heavy lifting equipment. The government seems to have almost given up in handling a deteriorating law and order situation. Incidents of looting, arson and sound of gunshots have been reported from some isolated places in the capital. Another threat that looms large is that of an epidemic outbreak with no access to clean drinking water and lack of proper sanitation.

As Haiti searches for life amidst ruins, the world can do a lot more than just pray. But, for those gathered outside tents, on lawn chairs, sitting in the midst of empty streets, one phrase could be heard repeatedly both inside and outside the hospital walls, "Beni Swa Leternel," they sang. "Blessed be the Lord."