From wikiWHYfiles
[edit] Introductory Note
Haiti's worst quake in two centuries hit south of the capital Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, wrecking the presidential palace, UN HQ and other buildings.A "large number" of UN personnel were reported missing by the organisation. Many people have spent the night outside amid
fears of more aftershocks.The Red Cross says up to three million people have been affected.Describing the earthquake as a "catastrophe", Haiti's envoy to the US said the cost of the damage could run into billions.A number of nations, including the US, UK and Venezuela, are gearing up to send aid.In a statement issued in New York, the UN said that its local HQ in Haiti had "sustained serious damage along with other UN installations" and "a large number" of personnel were missing.
[edit] Reason
A catastrophic earthquake hit Haiti on Tuesday just prior to 5 p.m. with a magnitude of 7.0, the equivalent of close to 30 thousand kilotons of TNT, or the strength if a 30 megaton bomb. A quake of this magnitude was predicted in 2008, but Haiti was not financially equipped to prepare for such a disaster.The Caribbean nation of Haiti is no stranger to disasters of epic proportions. With the unwanted distinction of being the poorest country in the western
hemisphere, it takes only the most minor of hazards to wreak havoc on the island nation. Hammered by hurricanes, flooding, and civil unrest, Haiti's problems run deep.The biggest issues now are to help those still trapped in the rubble, prevent further injuries from unstable buildings, provide relief in the form of food and water, as well as medical aid and restore a sense of order. Just getting aid workers in to the country is proving a logistical nightmare - though at least one airport is semi-functioning.
Haiti is especially susceptible to damage due to poor construction and lax building codes, even the presidential palace was destroyed.Compounding the dangers and fears were dozens of strong aftershocks of 4.0 magnitudes or higher striking after the first quake, trapping many more and causing further damage. There are currently no estimates of the number of dead or wounded. Even more misery is expected after learning a five-story U.N Peacekeeping compound was destroyed which housed approximately 250 workers.
[edit] Related Articles
- The quake struck on January 12, 2010 at 4:53 p.m.
- The 7.0 magnitude quake's epicenter hit just 10 miles west of Porte-au-Prince and its 2 million inhabitants
- 3 million people in need of emergency aid after major earthquake
- The major quake sent 33 aftershocks ranging in magnitude from 4.2 to 5.9
- The Red Cross dispatched a relief team from Geneva and the UN's World Food Program is flying in two planes with emergency food aid.
- The Inter-American Development Bank said it was immediately approving a $200,000 grant for emergency aid.
[edit] References
1. massive earthquake
2 .7.0 Earthquake in Haiti a Major Disaster
3. Haiti Earthquake
