KQ5: Managing Earthquakes: Haiti

Question 1

There were no monitoring systems prior to 2010, why is this?

Answer 1

Haiti is poor country but also the last major EQ was considered to be in 1860, with a greater focus on the more frequent hurricanes

Question 2

How has progress been made in monitoring?

Answer 2

The USGS has helped with awareness and monitoring as well as continued support from USAID. A total of 15 seismic stations are now operating in Haiti, these aren’t EQ resistant and there isn’t enough funding for a 24 hour staff

Question 3

How has progress been made in hazard mapping and education?

Answer 3

Hazard maps have been made to show areas at risk when none existed before, showing areas such as those liable to liquification. However, there is no national disaster management plan like that in Japan, as well as no education programme so children know what to do in an event

Question 4

How effective have long term strategies been?

Answer 4

There are minimal efforts for aseismic design and no known government approved building code in place. Stability and LT planning is not evident. However, the Bureau of Mines and Energy oversees EQ surveillance among other responsibilities, it has an annual budget of US $600,000 which is jsut 0.04% of the national budget

Question 5

Why was the work of NGOs controversial?

Answer 5

NGOs first arrived promising an approach that would respect the needs of the Haitian people. Donations flooded in and a pledge was made to rebuild Haiti, the interim Haiti Reconstruction commission was set up (IHRC). However some critics state that the NGOs followed their own agenda with just 1% of donor funds offered to the government and only 0.04% to haitis home grown NGOs in the first rush of aid. However some NGOs were somewhat successful for e.g. USAID pledged to build 15,000..

Question 6

Why was the work of NGOs controversial?

Answer 6

NGOs first arrived promising an approach that would respect the needs of the Haitian people. Donations flooded in and a pledge was made to rebuild Haiti, the interim Haiti Reconstruction commission was set up (IHRC). However some critics state that the NGOs followed their own agenda with just 1% of donor funds offered to the government and Haiti’s home grown NGOs only receiving around 0.04%

Question 7

What % of the 750 households built to EQ standards?

Answer 7

0

Question 8

Habitat for humanity: GB
1. Number of homes built
2. people provided with Access to clean water
3. Constructed … upgradable shelters.

Answer 8

1. 300 permanent homes in Léogâne.
2. 2000
3. 5000