At least 304 people have been confirmed dead in Saturday's quake, which has caused complete or extensive damage to churches, hotels, hospitals and homes.

More than 1,800 have also been confirmed injured and many are missing.

Southwest Haiti, especially the area around the city of Les Cayes, was worst affected.

Rescue workers are now working intensively to find survivors.

During the night until Sunday, many civilians have frantically searched through the landslides in the hope of finding their relatives.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who after the quake flew over the worst-hit areas along with, among others, government members, describes what he saw as "extensive damage".

He has declared a state of emergency for a month and asked the Haitians to "show solidarity" and not panic.

"A massive humanitarian emergency"

The Red Cross is preparing for a disaster response in the country.

- What we are trying to do is distribute first aid materials and basic necessities, says task leader Roger Alonso Morgui to SVT News.

The aid organization is worried about how the incident will affect children and families, as many are already suffering from poverty, hunger and violence.

"Staff in the region see terrible devastation - dozens of collapsed houses, large numbers of injured and dead.

Although it will take days to evaluate the total extent of the damage, it is clear that it is a massive humanitarian emergency, "writes the organization's country manager Leila Bourahla in a statement.

At the same time, tropical storm Grace is expected to pass near or over Haiti on Monday or early Tuesday morning, which could lead to heavy rainfall, according to the US National Hurricane Center.

The population is therefore urged to be vigilant and follow the authorities' calls.