The challenge of natural hazards: Natural hazards - Haiti (LIC Case Study)

Question 1

Key info

Answer 1

. 25th April 2015
. Destructive plate boundary
. 7.9 Richter scale

Question 2

Primary effects

Answer 2

• 9000 people died
• 3 million people homeless
• Electricity and water supply and sanitation affected.
• US$5 billion cost of damage
• 1.4 million people needed food, water and shelter in the days and weeks after the earthquake.
• 7000 schools destroyed and hospitals overwhelmed.
• International airport became congested as aid arrived.
• 50% of shops destroyed, affecting food supplies and people’s livelihoods.

Question 3

Secondary effects

Answer 3

• Ground shaking triggered landslides and avalanches.
• Avalanche killed 19 people
• Landslides blocked roads and stopped rescue attempts.
• Risk of flooding from the Gandaki river.

Question 4

Immediate responses

Answer 4

• Search and rescue teams arrived from UK, India and China.
• Helicopters rescued people on Mount Everest.
• Half a million tents needed to provide shelter for the homeless.
• Financial aid pledged from many countries.
• Field hospitals set up to support overcrowded main hospitals.
• 300 000 people migrated from Kathmandu to seek shelter and support.
• Social media widely used in search and rescue operations and satellites mapped damaged areas.

Question 5

Longer term responses

Answer 5

• Roads repaired and landslides cleared.
• People re-housed, damaged homes repaired.
• Stricter controls on building codes.
• Heritage sites reopened to help boost tourism.