PSU

1. Nancy Taban
Professor Christopher Soule
Globalization and Diversity 1400
September 30, 2021
Another Catastrophic Earthquake in Haiti –– Tropical Grace
On August 14, 2021, early Saturday morning before 8:30 a.m., measuring a magnitude
7.2 earthquake struck the mountains between Nippes and Sud Department in Haiti. The quake
toppled buildings and destroyed homes, cut off communications, and buried residents in the
rubble of collapsed buildings. Thus, this is not the first quake Haiti has been through, however
compare to the 2010 quake killing an estimated 220,000, injuring over 300,000, and more than 1
million mislaid, devastating the nations bustling capital Port Au Prince –– 2021 has been
reported being more powerful than 11 years ago, which killed tens of thousands of people, so far
reported more than 2,000 people have lost their lives so far, and many still missing (Diaz). In this
paper, will be discussing the aftermath damages left by the quake at the country’s most
vulnerable communities that face environmental risks, including environmental geography, and
population and settlement.
As reported by the country’s Prime Minister has declared a state of emergency for one
month as emergency personnel search for survivors and help victims’ relatives. According to
Haiti’s official Seismologist, this is not where the next quake was expected. For the past few
years, Seismic monitoring was carried out at each risk zone and the southern zone was the least
at risk among the 10 geographic zones in Haiti. Thus, where the quake was hit due to the size
and population density there will probably be widespread damage. In this situation, the
environmental condition has turned left, including schools, hospitals, and buildings totaling in an

2. estimate 700 buildings that have collapsed, not only buildings but damages on infrastructure
roads and bridges (Welsh). Before, Tropical Grace stroke Haiti the country has been in recovery
till this day, from the 2010 earthquake and since than there has been additional hurricanes and
earthquakes in the island and with so many disasters and climate change, the population has been
left vulnerable with drought, increased food prices and recent political crisis, this was the last
thing they could wish for (Welsh). As reported by the U.S. Agency for International
Development, arranged for disaster assistance response team to Haiti, to assist with damage
assessments and humanitarian coordination (Welsh). Additionally, urban search, relief
assistances, medical equipment’s, and 52, 000 pounds of saws, torches, drills, and hydraulic
breaking equipment’s (Welsh). Given that, humanitarian needs are rapidly growing in the
aftermath, some of the strategic objectives that have been outlined include, carry out essentials
repairs to restore people’s health, water and sanitation, agriculture, and education infrastructures.
Furthermore, conclusive reports have revealed more than 2,200 deaths, and 12,000
injured but in addition more than 130,000 homes damaged or destroyed, and thousands of
homeless seeking urgent need of assistance (Report). Prior to the earthquake Haiti had pre-
existing needs for thousands– Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) 2021 reported that more
than 610,000 people with acute humanitarian needs prior quake in the South, Grande’Anse, and
Nippes (Report). The urge for assistance has left people illegally migrating towards the US-
Mexico border with more than 13,000 under the Del Rio, Texas bridge (Jr). However, since then
4,000 migrants remain under the bridge, while thousands were returned to Mexico and the other
estimate of 3,200 awaiting to be processed in the custody of immigration, as well as that, about
1,400 were arranged back to Haiti (Jr).

3. Moreover, with the recent assassination of Haiti President Jovenel Moise on July 7, 2021,
at his home. Has led to an increase gang-violence with many being displaced, and casing limited
access to healthcare and services. According to reports, 13,600 Haitians fled Port-au-Prince in
June to elude confrontation with rival gangs (Report). And since the quake it’s even more
difficult to provide assistances when the gang violence has raised security threats and road
blockages, making Tiburon Peninsula inaccessible since June (Report). Thus far, ground
transportations were limited because most of the region was blocked more than once and due to
that Humanitarian organizations have been escorted by police to ensure safety.
In summary, Urban Search-and Rescue (USAR) personnel teams such as, emergency
managers, construction riggers, hazardous materials technicians, licensed engineers, etc., was
deployed to Haiti with the (DART) (U.S. Agency for International Development). Additionally,
aircrafts were deployed to support humanitarian needs relief with 671 missions completed and
588,000 pounds of emergency relief commodities assigned to affected areas. Also, 1,747 tons of
foods including, beans, rice and vegetable oil released by USAID/BHA to WFP food assistance
operations (U.S. Agency for International Development). Furthermore, helicopters transported
injured patients to Port-au-Prince, to conduct medical evacuations for 381 people and roughly
34,600 pounds of emergency relief supplies to areas in need (U.S. Agency for International
Development). Lastly, a country that is already vulnerable, the quake only exposed them to more
crisis, when they lack resources to recover from pervious devastation.

4. Works Cited
“2021 Haiti Earthquake Situation Report #1 - September 1, 2021 - Haiti.” Relief Web,
https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/2021-haiti-earthquake-situation-report-1-september-1-
2021.
Diaz, Jaclyn. “Why Earthquakes in Haiti Are so Catastrophic.” NPR, NPR, 16 Aug. 2021,
https://www.npr.org/2021/08/16/1027990749/haiti-earthquake-why-deadly-explainer.
“Haiti: Humanitarian Assistance.” U.S. Agency for International Development, 29 Sept. 2021,
https://www.usaid.gov/what-we-do/working-crises-and-conflict/crisis-response/where-we-
work/haiti.
Jr, Bernd Debusmann. “Why Are so Many Haitians at the US-Mexico Border?” BBC News,
BBC, 24 Sept. 2021, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-58667669.
Tropical Cyclone Brings Challenges for Haiti Earthquake ...
https://www.devex.com/news/tropical-cyclone-brings-challenges-for-haiti-earthquake-
response-100613.