Haiti Earthquake Essay

311 Words2 Pages
Haiti Earthquake 2010 The earthquake in Haiti occurred on the 12th of January 2010 16:53 local time around 25km from Haiti’s capitol Port au Prince the earthquake measured 7.0 on the Richter scale making it one of the most devastating earthquakes this . Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere with around 80% of the population living in extreme poverty. Access to healthcare in Haiti is almost non-existent more than 60% of the population has access to basic healthcare because of this disease is rampant. Most building in Haiti are structurally unsound meaning when the earthquake hit these houses crumbled to rubble leaving many people trapped. In February 2010 Prime Minister Jean estimated that 250,000 residencies and 30,000commercial buildings were severely damaged and needed to be demolished.[12] The deputy mayor of Léogâne reported that 90 percent of the town's buildings had been destroyed. Many government and public buildings were damaged or destroyed including the Palace of Justice, the National Assembly, the Supreme Court and Port-au-Prince Cathedral. The National Palace was severely damaged, Search and rescue was continually carried out by emergency and family members. Because over 100,000 people died bodies had to be buried in mass graves. Communication systems and transport routes were damaged by the earthquake so emergency aid was extremely difficult. Workers and survivors alike became angry at this lack of aid and looting and riots broke out in many areas. Aftershocks are still occurring reaching up to 5.9 on the Richter scale. Even though the process is slow Haiti is recovering many charities have been set up to provide emergency housing, food and other areas of the recovery. But even though the country is still in dire need the relief effort has lightened up and lots of people have completely forgotten about the Haitians in
Open Document