Haiti Earthquake Critical Analysis

Hope for children of Haiti On January 12 2010 a devastating tragedy occurred in our world. The beautiful country of Haiti was struck by a 7. 0 magnitude earthquake that changed the country and the lives of people living in Haiti. This earthquake stuck Haiti before five pm and was centred about 10 miles south east of port – au – prince which is the capital city of Haiti. This earthquake is known as one of most powerful earthquakes of the century, that it was felt in eastern parts of Cuba. Prior to the earthquake, the people of Haiti are living eighty percent under the poverty line(Curler, 2010).
In results of the earthquake in Haiti, Haiti has been left in poorer economic condition than before. Due to this natural disaster many innocent lives were taken away. The number of casualties kept increasing as the bodies of children were being discovered under the destroyed rumble. The death total at greater than 220 000 people after the earthquake(save the children federation, 2010). Prior to the earthquake Haiti already struggled with 15 of its children population already orphaned or abandoned. This earthquake has caused orphanages to overflow with children with lack of supplies and materials to care for them.
They need clothing, food shelter and all the basics necessities to care for them. This tragedy was traumatizing to children because they are so innocent and have less understanding of what’s happened. Hundreds of thousands of children have been displaced which is likely to have increased their sense of anxiety and fear, especially as aftershocks continue and buildings, including schools, continue to collapse( save the children federation , 2010). Many lives have been saved, as well as many bodies recovered from the rubble.

Although there were various doctors and rescue teams who flew to Port-au-Prince to aid the victims of the tragedy, aid did not reach those who were in dire need of it. The aftermath of the earthquake was not the only problem for the Haitians of Port-au -Prince. Port-au-Prince’s main prison was destructed by the earthquake leaving almost 4, 000 inmates, who survived the earthquake, roaming the streets “Rescue commander for Dominican Republic, Delfin Antonio Rodriguez stated, Our biggest problem is security Yesterday they tried to hijack some of our trucks.
Today we were barely able to work in some places because of that. There’s looting and people with guns out there, because this country is very poor and people are desperate”(Rayner 2010). Rescuers had even been ordered to stop working when the night fell because of fear of being attacked. Children have been profoundly affected by the events they have witnessed and Seeing and feeling buildings collapse, familiar faces dead and piled up around what used to be a neighbourhood and never seeing loved ones again.
Haiti may seem far away for many but they are us, our human race, in need. Please give generously to our cause. Resources Rayner, G (2010). Haiti earthquake, death toll may hit 200,000. Retrieved march 25, 2010, from http://www. telegraph. co. uk/news/worldnews/centralamericaandthecaribbean/haiti/7003057/Haiti-earthquake-death-toll-may-hit-200000. html Simon, M & Edvige ,J (2010). 7. 0 quake hits Haiti, serious loss of life. Retrieved March 25, 2010, from http://www. cnn. om/2010/WORLD/americas/01/12/haiti. earthquake/index. html Curly, R (2010). Information and Resources on the Port Au Prince, Haiti Earthquake . Retrieved March 25, 2010, from http://gocaribbean. about. com/od/haiti/qt/Haitiearthquakeoverview2. htm Save the children federation inc(2010). Haiti Earthquake Children in Emergency . Retrieved March 25, 2010, from http://www. savethechildren. org/emergencies/latin-america-caribbean/haiti/earthquake-10/haiti-earthquake-children-in-emergency. html