One Month On: Haiti, a Nation in Mourning

Friday, February 12, 2010

One month on, a survey of 150 people across three sites in Port-au-Prince has revealed a staggering 92% of people have lost loved ones, including friends, extended family or close family in the catastrophic earthquake that hit the country on January 12th, according to humanitarian agency World Vision. 

The survey was undertaken at the distribution sites where the agency is providing emergency supplies and services to families. More than 40 per cent have lost an immediate family member, while 14 per cent said multiple members of their immediate family had been killed by the quake. 

“This was only a small sample of people, but there is no doubt that Haiti is a nation in deep shock and mourning,” said Madeline Wilson, World Vision’s Australian aid worker in Haiti. “People have not just lost homes, jobs and everything they own, they are somehow trying to come to terms with the death of their families and friends.” 

“Everyone mourns in different ways,” said Wilson. “But it cannot be underestimated how important the wellbeing of families is in the rebuilding of Haiti. We know from studies that children and adults heal faster when they re-establish routine and get basic things such as food, shelter and medical care.” 

“A safe, dry home, regular meals, clean water, meaningful activity and work, are all needed in order to strengthen a resilient city now in mourning.” 

As part of its relief effort, World Vision has established safe places for children across Port-au-Prince in order to provide them with a sense of normality and routine in such a chaotic environment. 

“Children without parents are at particular risk,” said Anthea Spinks, World Vision Australia advocacy advisor. “They need protection and opportunities to grieve. Everyone processes grief differently and children are the same. Play and forming new friendships are a powerful method of stabilising their lives and giving them time to process their emotions.” 

“Tragically, some children do not yet know if their parents are alive or dead. World Vision will be working across large parts of the country to trace and reunify children with their families,” said Spinks 

One month on from the tragic earthquake, World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello urged Australians not to underestimate how many challenges lay ahead. 

“As the world moves on, many people in Haiti will only just be realising the full scale of their loss. World Vision has been in Haiti for 30 years. We will be here for many more years as Haitians start to rebuild their city and their lives,” said Mr Costello 

“Australians have once again proved their amazing generosity, but there is a lot of work to do. Donations remain such an important way of making a difference to those affected by this earthquake. Please give if you can.” 

Anthea Spinks and Tim Costello are available for interview. Please contact Michelle Rice on 0402 503 227 or 
Dominic McInerney on 0428 584 809 



Survey findings 

1. Forty-three percent of people surveyed said immediate family members were killed by the earthquake. Immediate family is defined as mother, father, son, daughter, brother, sister. 
2. Six percent of people surveyed said a partner, husband or wife had been killed by the earthquake. 
3. Forty-nine percent of people surveyed said they have lost extended family, which includes grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. 
4. Thirty-seven percent of people surveyed said one or more friends were killed in the earthquake. 
5. Six percent of people surveyed have lost more than three people close to them. 
6. Two percent of people surveyed have lost more than five people close to them. 
7. Eight percent of people knew no one who was killed in the quake. 
8. Fourteen percent of people surveyed said they have lost multiple members of their immediate family. 
9. One hundred and fifty people were surveyed on 6 and 7 February in Lycee Petionville, Cite Soleil and Bristou. 
10. Studies on this subject include Children under Fire: Challenging Assumptions about Children’s Resilience, Jo Boyden, Oxford University, 2003 

Media Releases, Emergencies, Latin America and Carribean, Disaster relief, Earthquake, Foreign Aid, Haiti

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