Storm-battered Haitian farm sector needs $74 million: UN

Haiti needs international aid to help rehabilitate its agricultural sector in the wake of Hurricane Sandy, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) said on Tuesday.

FAO and the Haitian government are seeking $74 million (57 million euros) over the next 12 months.

"The 'Superstorm' caused colossal damage to Haiti's crops, land, livestock, fisheries and rural infrastructures in late October, leaving more than 600,000 Haitians at risk of food and nutrition insecurity" the Rome-based agency said.

The Haitian governement says that $4.0 million is needed immediately to help 20,000 families make it through the winter cropping season that starts in December.

The hurricane was the third natural disaster to hit the country in the past few months. The combined impact of these has been estimated at $254 million, affecting the livelihood of 1.5 million people.

"Recent natural disasters in Haiti require the robust response of the international community to support ongoing government efforts," said Adam Yao, FAO Senior Emergency Coordinator in Haiti.

The latest storm killed more than 50 people in Haiti, where 350,000 people have been living in tent camps set up after the 2010 earthquake. Hurricane Sandy destroyed much of the fragile housing in those camps.