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.