Haiti 2010 Earthquake

Question 1

Overview

Answer 1

Multi-hazard environment
Located where the Caribbean and North American plates slide fast one another in an east-west direction

Last earthquake was in 1751 and stress of surrounding rocks was overcome, magnitude 7 earthquake

Epicentre 24km south west of capital Port au Prince, shallow focus of 13km

Question 2

Primary effects

Answer 2

Much of Port au Prince wad flattened in less than 60 seconds, over 230,000 lives were lost
50% of densely packed and poorly built concrete buildings collapsed eg government buildings-> due to poor construction standards as country had no building codes

180,000 homes damaged and 2.3 million made homeless. 600,000 left capital and 5000 schools and hospitals damaged
Liquefaction caused building foundations to collapse

Question 3

Secondary effects

Answer 3

Strong aftershocks recorded, including 6.1 magnitude earthquake
Loss of hundreds of civil servants and destruction of ministries, Haiti government was crippled
Devastation of police force and destruction of main prison releasing 4000 prisoners, city was lawless

Water pipes broke-> 1500 killed by cholera
1.5 million were still homeless

Question 4

Haiti situation

Answer 4

Poorest country in western hemisphere, 54% live in abject poverty
Blighted by political instability, corruption, poor infrastructure and social inequality

Question 5

Short term responses

Answer 5

Rescue efforts: International troops struggled within dense congested urban environment and lack of lifting equipment. US deployed 3,500 soldiers and UK sent large rescue team with search dogs

Security: 16,000 UN troops and police restored law and order

Food and water: UN food programme provided basic food necessities, farmers given support before planting season. UK disaster emergency committee provided bottled water and purification tablets

Shelter: 1.5 million homeless people accommodated in over 1100 camps

Question 6

Long term responses

Answer 6

Aid: Haiti relief fund manages $11.5 billion reconstruction package with controls to prevent corruption. By 2014, 170,000 still in displacement camps

Food: Reformed to encourage greater self-sufficiency and less reliance on food imports

Health: Emphasis to focus on follow up care

Buildings: By 2014, 50% of debris removed and key buildings rebuilt to life-safe building codes. Slums were demolished and high risk areas avoided. New homes affordable safe and sustainable

Economy: UN strategy to create new jobs in clothing manufacture, tourism and agriculture, part of debt was written off