A WEEK on from the earthquake that devastated Haiti, the number of persons confirmed dead has risen to 2,200, according to the country’s civil defence agency.

The Caribbean island was struck by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake which resulted in 344 people going missing and thousands losing their lives in the destruction.

An estimated 53,000 houses were also destroyed.

Relief workers attempting to deliver aid have faced delay from gangs who have hijacked aid trucks and ambulances and they have now resorted to transporting aid supplies via helicopter.

One of the country’s most notorious gangsters, however, announced on Sunday in a social media video that his allied gangs had reached a truce and they would now being assisting workers in their relief efforts.

Jimmy Cherizier, leader of G9 Revolutionary Forces, posted Facebook video addressing the hardest-hit parts of Haiti’s southwestern peninsula.

“We want to tell them that the G9 Revolutionary Forces and allies, all for one and one for all, sympathise with their pain and sorrows,” he said. “The Revolutionary Forces G9 and allies … will participate in the relief by bringing them help. We invite all compatriots to show solidarity with the victims by trying to share what little there is with them.”

The Haitian government said on Sunday that over 300 people remain missing and 2,268 people were injured in the disaster.