Haiti

On January 12, 2010 at approximately 5:00 pm, Haiti was struck by 7.0 magnitude earthquake whose epicenter was just outside the capital city of Port-au-Prince. Within the first few days after the earthquake, over 50,000 people were reported or presumed dead. The damage to Port-au-Prince is unsurpassed: much of the city is in ruins, historical and state landmarks have been decimated, and people’s homes and livelihoods have been destroyed. Logistical difficulties including ruined airfields and ports have challenged relief workers coming into the country and domestic forces for law and order, emergency response, and medical care were also compromised. Many areas of public life have been disrupted as a result of the earthquake: in addition to the immediate need to relieve human suffering, thousands of people have been rendered homeless, jobless, and without means for meeting their most basic needs. The Haitian government faces challenges in rebuilding its institutions and recouping its authority. Foreign aid from states and NGO’s continues to pour into Haiti, but the extent of damage makes a sustained international response to the disaster’s effects a necessity. This page serves as a forum for the Humphrey community to share information, stories and ideas about the crisis in Haiti. The links below provide information about how to assist in current relief efforts, the latest developments on the ground, and commentaries and op-eds about international development and Haiti’s future.