Deutsche Post DHL Group has sent its Disaster Response Team (DRT) to Haiti to coordinate international aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew.

Volunteers have been providing logistics support to manage incoming aid at Toussaint L’ouverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince after the Southwest coast was hit by 145mph winds during the worst major hurricane in 50 years. DRT Americas, based in Panama, started operating in Port-au-Prince 48 hours after receiving the request for support.

Deutsche Post DHL Group’s Disaster Response Team Americas manager, Gilberto Castro says: “In the aftermath of hurricane ‘Matthew’ Haiti may be facing a severe humanitarian crisis.”

“Although it is still too early to assess the full extent of the losses and destruction, the DRT is on the ground and ready to facilitate the logistics of incoming relief goods and to secure a fast processing of the supplies.”

This is the second time the DRT has been deployed to Port-au-Prince, having assisted in the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake, which left 230,000 dead and affected more than one million people across Haiti.