Hurricane Matthew made its way to Haiti this week leaving a trail of mass destruction behind. The storm wiped out homes and towns, leaving many with absolutely nothing. Days before the storm hit meteorologists were tracking the storm to determine its route and other pertinent information. As one of the most trusted sources in weather, The Weather Channel always seems one step ahead in its reporting.
However, this week the network experienced backlash after one meteorologist made side-eye worth accusation.
Jennifer Delgado is a meteorologist for the network where she has experience in hurricane coverage. In the past she has reported on Hurricane Sandy and other natural disasters across the world. One would think that with all of this experience she would do adequate research before asserting frivolous accusations. Well, she didn’t when she claimed that children in Haiti eat trees which is the reason for its deforestation problem.
“They take all the trees down, they burn the trees … even the kids there, they’re so hungry, they actually eat the trees.”
Delgado issued an apology via Facebook for her statement.
“I want to apologize for a statement that I made yesterday that was inappropriate. My intention is always to provide relevant information to areas impacted by severe weather and I wanted to spotlight the incredibly difficult conditions that the people in Haiti continue to face, particularly in light of Hurricane Matthew. I deeply regret and apologize for any statement that I used on-air that was offensive.”
She also apologized live.
Weather News #JenniferDelgrado apologize to the Haitians community after saying #Haitian kids are so hungry they eat trees”. #MatthewHaiti pic.twitter.com/5PVyasCY6f
— Lunionsuite (@LunionSuite) October 4, 2016
Too late for sorry.
Haitians won’t even drink a glass of water at your place if your kitchen is dirty talmbout the kids eat trees.
— Keshnie. (@Keshniexo) October 4, 2016
Really @weatherchannel we all want to know is Jen Delgado really that much of an idiot? Haiti doesn’t have trees b/c “kids eat the trees” 😒😒
— Kaylee (@Kales10) October 4, 2016
I am sensitive about Haiti because people like Jen Delgado say we eat trees, and people believe her.
— Ebony Empress (@trilllprincess) October 5, 2016
There’s about to be a job opening at the Weather Channel. https://t.co/2SuJfdQXrQ
— Michael Board (@MikeBoard1200) October 5, 2016
