During a press briefing, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development of France stated "Hurricane Matthew has hit hard the Haitian people and caused extensive damage, especially in the departments of South and Grande Anse, with whom communications are cut.

Upon approach of Matthew, the Haitian authorities have triggered an alert plan, taken preventive measures and set up an Evaluation Committee and of coordination with which our Embassy in Port-au-Prince is in contact.

France expresses its solidarity with the Government and people of Haiti in this event."

IH/ iciHaiti