Haiti earthquake

A powerful earthquake of 7.0 magnitude struck southern Haiti on Tuesday 12 January, rocking the capital Port-au-Prince. Just 8 days later, a second earthquake measuring 6.1 magnitude hit the already devastated region. The death toll is now estimated at over 230,000 people, while 300,000 more were injured. A further 3 million have been affected. World Vision is providing relief to hundreds of thousands of affected families.

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  1. Life is a little better for children and families in Haiti now that World Vision aid such as tarps and medical supplies has begun to reach them.
  2. 3-month-old Amadou receives medical treatment, after the 12 January earthquake destroyed her home in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
  3. 5-month-old Yonesa lives with his mother in a makeshift camp in Haiti, following the earthquake that struck the capital on 12 January 2010.
  4. World Vision staff unload a truck full of relief supplies ready for distribution to earthquake survivors in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
  5. World Vision staff prepare to distribute rice to 1,700 families at this distribution point in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
  6. Children in the first of six Child Friendly Spaces, at Camp Accra where World Vision has donated tarps, blankets, cook kits, drinking water and food.
  7. 4-year-old Schneily receives medical treatment after she was injured in the earthquake on 12 January 2010. World Vision has supplied the hospital with medical supplies, drinking water and logistical support.
  8. Rigest, aged 9, enjoys his meal of pasta, provided by World Vision in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
  9. A boy receives a meal provided by World Vision, along with wheat, soy and oil at a World Vision distribution point in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
  10. A food distribution point set up for earthquake survivors by World Vision following the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on 12 January 2010.
  11. Yulisa, aged 8, hides under a blanket, her attempt to escape from the blazing sun. There has been little protection from the sun and rain since her home was completely flattened in the worst earthquake to hit Haiti for 200 years.
  12. Cooking kits provided by World Vision are distributed to earthquake survivors in Haiti, following the earthquake that struck the capital on 12 January 2010.
  13. Fabiola, aged 8, is glad that tarps provided by World Vision help keep out the rain. Her family’s home was damaged in the January 12 earthquake.
  14. Children smile as they peer out of a makeshift tent, provided by World Vision after a 7.0 magnitude quake hit the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince on 12 January 2010.
  15. Following the 12 January earthquake, many Haitians are now living in camps using tarps provided by World Vision.

 

Date Published
Latest Updates
15 March 2010Haiti: Rural communities risk chronic food, water shortages
25 February 2010Thousands flee to La Gonave to seek food and shelter
24 February 2010
Haiti: Education through entertainment
23 February 2010
Haiti: Post 12 January
23 February 2010 World Vision provides maternity kits to ensure safe deliveries
22 February 2010Aid distribution in Haiti
19 February 2010Child Friendly Space restores hope in Haiti
16 February 2010One month on, Haiti's homeless ask for protection against insecurity
11 February 2010Haiti: A nation in mourning
10 February 2010Child Friendly Space provides return to normalcy for children
3 February 2010Vulnerable must be first in line
29 January 2010Hugh Jackman speaks on Haiti
26 January 2010World Vision to scale up emergency response
22 January 2010Haiti: Orecchi's story
21 January 2010Another earthquake strikes Haiti
20 January 2010Relief supplies distributed to Haiti survivors
20 January 2010Aid delivery in Haiti
19 January 2010A moment of joy
18 January 2010
Children treated in makeshift hospitals
18 January 2010World Vision's Ruth Mlay in Haiti
18 January 2010
Emergency relief distributed to thousands of survivors
18 January 2010 Prayer for Haiti
16 January 2010Haiti update: Relief effort gathers pace
16 January 2010Haiti earthquake: Hope in the Heartache
15 January 2010World Vision delivering aid despite obstacles in Haiti 
15 January 2010 Haiti earthquake: Tweets from the Field
14 January 2010Update: Haiti earthquake
14 January 2010Devastation in Haiti
14 January 2010World Vision expresses concern about wellbeing of children in Haiti
13 January 2010Powerful earthquake strikes Haiti

Background

A powerful earthquake of 7.0 magnitude struck southern Haiti on 12 January, rocking the capital Port-au-Prince. The quake was centred about 10 kilometres underground, and was followed by two severe aftershocks.

Just 8 days later, another earthquake measuring 6.1 magnitude struck the already devastated region.

Entire hillsides were flattened and many buildings collapsed in the capital, including hospitals and schools. Over a million people have been left homeless and are currently living in temporary shelter sites in Port-au-Prince. More than 500,000 people have left the capital to seek refuge with families in rural areas. 

Heavy rainfall in recent weeks has led to flooding that has killed at least 13 people and caused the temporary evacuation of some 3,428 others.

Download the Haiti country profile.

World Vision’s response

World Vision declared its highest level of emergency response and deployed a global rapid response team to work with staff already on the ground. Currently there are 400 staff working on the response.

World Vision is currently working across 17 displacement camps in Port-au-Prince and the response has so far included:

  • Food: Distribution of food to some 1.1 million people in Port-au-Prince. Food distributions have also taken place in rural areas
  • Essential Relief Supplies: Essential supplies such as tarpaulins, mosquito nets, water containers, blankets, hygiene kits and kitchen sets provided to more than 70,500 people
  • Health Clinics: 8 health clinics set up to provide basic health care to displaced families
  • Medical Supplies: Provision of medical supplies to 11 hospitals
  • Maternity Kits: Provided to 130 expectant mothers
  • Child Friendly Spaces: 15 child friendly spaces providing children with a safe place to play, share their experiences and learn in a supervised environment
  • Water and Sanitation: 155 latrines and 126 showers constructed across 7 displacement camps.

Children are the priority for World Vision’s relief efforts. World Vision is working to ensure children have safe spaces to go, especially those who have been separated from their families, and that they receive the physical and emotional support they need.

There has been an exodus of people from Port-au-Prince returning to rural areas where World Vision has long-term programming. World Vision is carrying out food distributions in these rural areas. World Vision is also considering ways of stimulating the economy during the displacement crisis using cash-for-work or food-for-work programs.  

World Vision has been working in Haiti for 31 years and runs 20 long-term development programs across five regions, supporting more than 300,000 people.

Children sponsored by Australians

World Vision has 3 long term development programs (ADPs) in Haiti where sponsored children live.

World Vision staff on the ground in Haiti have confirmed that no ADPs were directly affected in the earthquake. While tremors may have been felt in these areas, there has been no loss of life.

While no sponsored children have been physically affected by the earthquake, many people in these communities may have lost family members who lived or worked in Port-au-Prince. As a result, there may be emotional implications for the family and loss of income for the communities.

World Vision staff continue to monitor the safety and wellbeing of all sponsored children and their families. Please be assured that if we receive information of concern regarding any sponsored children we will contact sponsors immediately.

How you can help

World Vision has launched an appeal to provide assistance with relief efforts in Haiti. You can donate to the Haiti Earthquake appeal here.

You can also make a donation by calling our Supporter Service Team on 13 32 40.

For information on sponsoring a child in Haiti, please click here.

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