Hispaniola struck by heavy floods

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Heavy flooding in Haiti and the Dominican Republic has left at least 11 people dead and affected many others.

Officials estimate that more than 4,000 people have been evacuated from their homes in both countries.

The emergency services in Haiti said hundreds of houses in the capital, Port-au-Prince, have been flooded following several days of heavy rain.

The first task for Haiti's emergency authorities was to evacuate people from the worst-hit areas into shelters.

At least eight people died in Haiti and three in the Dominican Republic after unexpectedly heavy rain, that started on Sunday, lashed the Caribbean island the two countries share.

Logistical support

Mudslides have destroyed dozens of houses and left more than 400 families homeless in Haiti alone.

Most of the homeless will be people who lived in very low-quality housing which could not withstand the strong winds and rain.

The United Nations says that its aim is to provide the Haitian authorities with logistical support which has so far included distributing potable drinking water and first aid.

Local radio stations are warning people against crossing the swollen rivers and are advising people to get themselves and their livestock to higher ground.

Later, the efforts by the local authorities, the UN and the Red Cross will turn towards the clean up and re-establishing damaged communication links.

But, with more rain predicted for late Tuesday and early Wednesday, the immediate worries are more pressing.