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In 2010, Haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake. But the Haiti people suffered most in the aftermath of the earthquake due to their limited capacity, as a Less Economically Developed Country, to respond to the disaster.Key facts
- On 12th January 2010, a magnitude seven earthquake destroyed 97,000 homes in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
- As an LEDC, Haiti suffered devastating primary and secondary effects, including water contamination and an outbreak of cholera.
- Haiti lacked adequate resource to launch an effective short-term response and medical facilities were insufficient.
- Distribution of financial aid was hampered by logistical problems and long-term responses were slow to take effect, as six months on rubble remained untouched.
Transcript
Port-au-Prince, Haiti
This is Port-au-Prince before the 12th of January 2010.
On that date a devastating magnitude 7 earthquake struck Haiti.
Hundreds of thousands of people were killed, injured or displaced.
Its force meant that some level of destruction was unavoidable.
But the impact of natural disasters is often worse in LEDCs or Less Economically Developed Countries, like Haiti.
Primary Effects
The primary effects of earthquakes are those directly caused by the shaking and deformation of the ground.
These include damage to the natural environment, like earth surface ruptures and damage to the man-made environment, including building collapse, damage to transportation links and communication lines and disruption of water and gas pipes.
In LEDCs, major towns and cities like Port-au-Prince tend to be densely populated areas, with badly constructed buildings, which worsen impact of primary effects.
97,000 homes destroyed by Haiti earthquake
Secondary Effects
Secondary effects soon follow the initial devastation.
These include effects on the natural landscape, such as fires or landslides and effects on the built environment like pollution, water contamination and the spread of disease.
Haiti suffered from an outbreak of cholera and limited medical supplies.
Just as the characteristics of LEDCs can exaggerate the impact of a natural disaster, they may also limit the country's capacity to respond.
Short-term Responses
Haiti's limited resources hampered its initial response, with only bare hands and basic tools available for rescue attempts.
Its insufficient medical facilities were quickly overrun.
And the region's crippled infrastructure left transport and communication systems in disarray.
Long-term Responses
Long-term responses to an earthquake – including aid – happen over time, to help restore the region.
But in Haiti, some aid ships were turned away because of congestion and logistical problems.
And the long-term recovery, and reconstruction of buildings, has been slow.
Six months after the earthquake, 98% of the rubble it created remained unmoved.
According to the United States Geological Survey, if the official estimates are correct, the Haiti earthquake was the second deadliest in history.
A death and devastation toll worsened by the limited capacity of an LEDC to respond.
