Haiti’s earthquake couldn’t have come at a worse timing

A 7.2-magnitude earthquake that hit off the coast of Haiti on Saturday killed at least 724 people and wounded another 2,800, according to a statement from the country’s civil protection agency. Many more remain missing. The quake’s epicenter was about 7.5 miles northeast of Saint-Louis du Sud in the western part of the country — said the U.S. Geological Survey.

The quake overwhelmed hospitals, flattened buildings, and trapped people under rubble in at least two cities. It is yet another blow to a country that has struggled to rebuild since a devastating earthquake hit 11 years ago.

New Prime Minister Ariel Henry tweeted that he was declaring a month-long state of emergency, promising to mobilize all available government resources to help victims. He urged Haitians to unify as they “confront this dramatic situation in which we’re living right now.”

On Saturday afternoon, U.S. President Joe Biden stated that he had “authorized an immediate U.S. response and named USAID Administrator Samantha Power as the senior U.S. official to coordinate this effort.”

“Through USAID, we are supporting efforts to assess the damage and assist efforts to recover those who were injured and those who must now rebuild,” Mr. Biden added.

The disaster could hardly have come at a worse time in a country disrupted by increasing political instability...