Plight of the Haitian People Kelly Auerhamer Strayer University SOC300 Professor Jennifer Morrison 08/30/12 In recent news, Hurricane Isaac dumped massive rains upon the island of Haiti. The Haitian government has reported twenty four deaths now from various storm related issues according to the Associated Press (2012). After reading the prior statements this is why the topic of the following essay is the struggles and hardships the people of Haiti have been facing for years. Haiti has many layers of compound issues; however there are three we will visit which are constant political unrest, many natural disasters, and numerous disease outbreaks. This discouraging cocktail of happenings is a recipe of continued hardships
This earthquake is remembered as one of the most destructive natural disasters next to the Galveston hurricane of 1900, and hurricane Katrina of 2005. The death toll is believed to have soared past the 3000+ casualty mark. San Francisco was the 9th largest city in the US, and the largest city on the west coast. Over the years San Francisco had become a financial, trade powerhouse and was even referred to as “gateway to the pacific” because they had the busiest port on the West coast. The initial impact was devastating which left about 300,000 people homeless out of a population of about 410,000.
Ike was a huge economic burden to the U.S. and “estimates suggest Ike may become one of the costliest hurricanes on record” (FEMA 10). Hurricanes are known for causing severe structural damage to houses, but also have an effect on many businesses as well. Many people had to evacuate and be out of work for up to two weeks due to power outage and debris. Also, some businesses were damaged by flooding and wind, which caused the loss of crucial business equipment. Businesses were flooded along the Texas coast and lost all of their vital technology such as computers, telephones, and other office equipment.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, looting, violence and other criminal activity became serious problems. The rescue efforts, had most of the attention of the police, causing the security to weaken (Hurricane Katrina, 2010). There was a concern that the constant flooding would lead to health problems. In addition to dehydration and food poisoning, there was also potential of the spread of various infections and disease. All related to the growing contamination of food and drinking water supplies in the city in combination with the city’s heat and humidity
Hurricane Katrina became known as one of the most disastrous and expensive natural disasters in US history. Four months after the storm hit, the death toll was over 1,300 with hundreds still missing and the estimated property damage exceeded $75 billion. It also became one of embarrassment for our country due to our government’s failure to properly respond and poor communications. There are many lessons we can learn from their poor response, including how to properly assess risk, plan in a timely manner, and communicate effectively. Since New Orleans primarily lies below sea level, the protective barriers or levee systems should have been assessed to determine the winds it was capable of withstanding.
“Hurricane Mitch was more destructive than Andrew because of a variety of factors.” Mitch is considered to be the most deadly hurricane in the last 200 years in the Atlantic, stronger and more intense than Hurricane Andrew, having caused the most serious material damage in history. In Mitch, 4 countries were affected (Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador and Guaternala) whereas in Andrew only a fraction of South America was seriously affected. In Mitch 10ml people were left homeless without shelter and aid, with mothers washed out to see and thousands trapped, as well as the possibility of more floods. In Andrew hundreds and thousands of people were without food but food and water were provided sooner than they were to the poor countries that Mitch affected. A
Firstly, the Everglades are an important ecosystem which reduces flooding and replenish aquifers but human actions are having a huge impact on the landscape. The rapid urban and agricultural development in the area has decreased the size of the wetlands dramatically which affects the organisms found there. This is especially important as it is home to several endangered species. Not only that, but invasive species that threaten existing wildlife by preying on or competing with them. According to Everglades.org, they’ve “contributed to nearly 70 percent of extinctions in the United States” and are the “primary cause of species endangerment.” The water itself is a major cause of decline to the area, firstly because of poor water management leading to water levels being too low or too high at the wrong times has caused a decline in many species.
It can often prove to be fatal. Cholera is a water-borne disease caused by a bacteria found in tainted water or food. It can kill within weeks through dehydration, but is treatable if caught in time. The spread started 3 years ago in Haiti and entered to Mexico through a hurricane and tropical storm which caused heavy rains, floods, landslides and internal displacement of populations, thus increasing the risk of diarrheal diseases. 171 affected cases, 1 dead were reported in Mexico.
About 13,000 people die every year and approximately 12 percent of years of life lost are from cardiovascular related diseases in the Dominican Republic (World Health Organization, Mortality). This affects the community at large and stems from smoking, general ill health, lack of education, and lack of coverage of our health services. Cardiovascular diseases are attributed to a great burden of disease. Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which needs to be addressed. Tobacco control is a low cost approach for preventative measures against cardiovascular diseases, as well as other non-communicable diseases.
Earthquake in Haiti January 12, 2010, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0 hit Haiti. Earthquake caused a lot of damage in Port-Au-prince, Leogane, Jacmel, and many of the surrounding communities. The earthquake left many Haitians homeless and with ruined crops. After 15 days the earthquake hit, the government estimated that their was 230,000 deaths, and about one million displaced people within the area of port-au-prince. 598,000 people migrated from the affected areas to other locations in Haiti.