Cold, damp conditions in Haiti in the wake of Hurricane Tomas have left thousands of children at risk of catching potentially fatal diseases, Save the Children has warned.

The UK-based charity said children could be exposed to malaria, diarrhoea, dengue fever and pneumonia, as well as skin infections.

There are also concerns the huge volume of moving water, which is likely to wash sewage and rubbish around the town, will facilitate the spread of cholera.

Heavy rain from the hurricane has turned the streets of Leogane, in western Haiti, into fast-flowing rivers, flooding the makeshift homes of those already hampered by January’s earthquake, the charity said.

The seaside town was whipped by wind speeds that reached 85mph, causing havoc for tens of thousands still living in tents after an earthquake measuring 7.0 in magnitude struck Haiti almost a year ago.

Save the Children director Gary Shaye said: “People here are telling us that they need food and clean water.

“This town was decimated by the earthquake, and it’s essential we get help fast to the families whose lives have been turned upside down again by this second disaster.”

He said young children and newborn babies were most vulnerable.

“Many children are already weak from living in such difficult camp conditions or because they are malnourished – and easily treatable diseases like malaria and pneumonia can be fatal unless they get medical help.”

On Friday evening Leogane was reportedly three metres under water in some places.

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