THE 2010 EARTHQUAKE DISASTER IN HAITI IS NOW A HEALTH CARE DISASTER Walter Hays, Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction, Vienna, Virginia, USA
THE 2010 EARTHQUAKE DISASTER IN HAITI IS NOW
A HEALTH CARE DISASTER
Walter Hays, Global Alliance for Disaster Reduction, Vienna,
Virginia, USA
2013: It is past the time to do the right thing in Haiti:
a concerted and sustained international effort to rebuild Haiti
and Haitian lives.
A THREE-YEAR TIME LINE
• January 10, 2010 --- The earthquake, which takes an estimated 30,000 lives.
• Immediately after January 10, 2010--- international relief and fund raising
• October 2010 --- Outbreak of cholera, a water-borne disease, which eventually takes an estimated 8,000 lives.
THE CARIBBEAN TECTONIC PLATE
THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE AND THE CARIBBEAN PLATE
A THREE-YEAR TIME LINE (continued)
• October 2010 --- Hurricane Tomas exacerbates recovery and reconstruction and intensifies health care problems.
• 2011 and 2012 --- Recovery and reconstruction progresses, albeit slowly, and cholera lingers on.
• January 2013 --- Disaster workers begin to leave; cholera lingers on.
TOMAS: IMPACTS SAINT LUCIA
HAITI EARTHQUAKE EVACUEES WITH NO PLACE TO GO
In the eastern Caribbean, Tomas left at least 14 dead, many homeless, and island
nations suffering from millions of dollars in damages to
banana crops, housing, and infrastructure from wind, flooding, and landslides
A concerted, coordinated, and sustained international
effort to rebuild Haiti and Haitian lives will require
a new approach that balances science and
engineering, politics, and reality.
REALITY CHECK
Haiti needs:CLEAN WATER,
Robust shelters and housing,
Infrastructure, A port, An airfield, …
Business Enterprise,
Someone who cares
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Haiti is still located in a geographic area prone to disasters caused by
earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and landslides, … the 2013 hurricane season
is only 5 months away
The bottom line:an unpresidented concerted and sustained international effort that
finishes the job.