Crisis deepens as Hurricane Matthew’s death toll nears 900 in Haiti

The death toll continues to rise in Haiti following the onslaught of Hurricane Matthew as close to 900 people have been confirmed dead in the Caribbean country.

Officials have confirmed that the death toll is fast approaching 900 and is feared to swell far beyond that amount as the country prepares to confront fears of a cholera outbreak and food shortage. The massive food shortage is due to approximately 80% of the country’s crops being destroyed by Hurricane Matthew.

Rescue workers and humanitarian efforts from around the world are currently scrambling to get supplies to the people, a task that has proved difficult as many areas remain cut off following the destruction of the storm.

Related: Hurricane Matthew death toll surges past 800 in Haiti

The storm, which is now a category one system has been hugging the United States Eastern coastline and has been blamed for at least 15 deaths, five of which were in Florida. It has also caused widespread power outages and flooding across the Florida and Georgia.