The confirmed death toll from Haiti's devastating earthquake has risen above 150,000 in the Port-au-Prince area alone, a government minister has said.

Communications minister Marie-Laurence Jocelyn Lassegue said the count was based on bodies collected in and around the capital by state company CNE.

Many more remain uncounted under rubble in the capital and elsewhere, including the towns of Jacmel and Leogane.

The search for survivors has officially ended and the focus has shifted to aid.

As the death toll in Haiti has risen, it has become clear the 12 January quake is one of the worst natural disasters to have struck in recent years.

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Muslim charities appeal for emergency aid to Haiti

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) today urged British Muslims to donate generously to the victims of Haiti earthquake to alleviate the overwhelming devastation. As an immediate response to the tragedy, leading British Muslim charities (many of them MCB affiliates, such as Muslim Aid, Islamic Relief, Muslim Hands, Human Relief International, Human Appeal and Islamic Help) are launching an emergency relief appeal for more than £2,000,000.

"We are deeply saddened by the widespread destruction and loss of life and appeal our Muslim brethren to donate generously to the appeal, so that much needed emergency relief is delivered to the victims", said Dr. Muhammad Abdul Bari, the Secretary General.

Thousands feared dead following mag 7 quake in Haiti

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