More than 300,000 people were killed, several hundred thousand were injured and nearly 1.5 million were left homeless when magnitude 7 earthquake hit Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010. Ten years later, Haiti hasn't recovered from this disaster, despite billions of dollars being spent in the country.
Waves up to three metres high hit sections of the nation's coastline. In addition to smashing buildings and killing more than 200,000 people, Haiti's devastating 12 January earthquake produced two 3-metre tsunamis, scientists announced on 24 February at a meeting in Portland, Oregon.
Moreover, Haiti's pre-earthquake low socio-economic conditions, poor infrastructure, and environmental degradation increased the country's vulnerability to a highly devastating natural disaster (DesRoches et al. 2011). As a result of the earthquake , Haiti's infrastructure was severely damaged or destroyed.
A 'Lost Decade': Haiti Still Struggles To Recover 10 Years After Massive Earthquake.
The 2010 Haiti earthquake (French: Séisme de 2010 à Haïti; Haitian Creole: Tranblemanntè 12 janvye 2010 nan peyi Ayiti) was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake, with an epicenter near the town of Léogâne (Ouest) and approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) west of Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.
The earthquake hit at 4:53 pm some 15 miles (25 km) southwest of the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. The initial shock registered a magnitude of 7.0 and was soon followed by two aftershocks of magnitudes 5.9 and 5.5. A magnitude-8.0 earthquake had struck the Dominican Republic in 1946.
Enriquillo–Plantain Garden fault zone
One year ago today
Haiti was hit by an
earthquake which devastated its already fragile infrastructure.
Haiti Aid Pledged By Country.
| Country/ organisation | United States |
|---|
| Committed funding, $ | 41,268,315 |
|---|
| Uncommitted funding, $ | 1,000,000 |
|---|
| Committed funding, $ per person | 0.13 |
|---|
| Date | 2011 |
|---|
In the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti, USAID has provided relief, recovery and long-term reconstruction assistance: Emergency Food Assistance: Provided emergency food relief for nearly four million people in the first three months after the earthquake, the largest emergency food distribution ever.
Although there has been $13 billion in aid money given to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, many people still live in bad conditions.
What was the magnitude of Haiti earthquake in 2010?
The Haiti earthquake emergency response team assisted almost 2 million people during the first 90 days following the disaster. These efforts included providing basic services such as food assistance; shelter; and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
Haitian Government Response. In the immediate wake of the earthquake, President Préval described conditions in his country as "unimaginable," and appealed for international assistance. The country's top priority was to conduct search and rescue operations for survivors.
Damage From the Earthquake
It crippled the main airport, most of the ports, and almost all the paved roads. That made it difficult for relief efforts to reach the victims. The quake damaged 294,383 homes and destroyed 106,000 of them. The quake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital.2 million people were left without food and water. Frequent power cuts occurred. Crime increased - looting became a problem. People moved into temporary shelters.
- Enriquillo-Plantain Garden fault zone.
- Haiti.
- Ouest: Port-au-Prince Arrondissement (Port-au-Prince, Bel Air, Carrefour, Cité Soleil, Gressier, Pétion-Ville)
- Léogâne Arrondissement (Léogâne, Grand-Goâve, Petit-Goâve)
- Sud-Est: Jacmel Arrondissement (Jacmel)
An estimated three million people were affected by the quake. Death toll estimates range from 100,000 to about 160,000 to Haitian government figures from 220,000 to 316,000, although these latter figures are a matter of some dispute.
Tuesday's earthquake in Haiti was especially destructive because its epicentre was close to a major city and its hypocentre, or focal point, was close to the Earth's surface, says a Canadian seismologist familiar with the area.
Haiti's mountains are mainly limestone, although some volcanic formations can be found, particularly in the Massif du Nord.
Effects are often classified as primary and secondary impacts. Primary effects occur as a direct result of the ground shaking, eg buildings collapsing. Secondary effects occur as a result of the primary effects, eg tsunamis or fires due to ruptured gas mains.
Throughout its history, Haiti has suffered cyclones, hurricanes, tropical storms, torrential rains, floods and earthquakes. The hurricane season in Haiti lasts from June to the end of November. The following is a non-exhaustive list of natural disasters which have struck Haiti.
