Thursday, February 18, 2010

Home Page > News and Society > Nature > In Need Of Help: Haiti’S Devastation After The Earthquake In Need Of Help: Haiti’S Devastation After The Eart

t is presently the most devastating news that struck the world. One of the poorest countries that have struggled to live up with the problems from politics to health to environment has experienced damages and death. Last January 12, 2010, a massive intensity 7.0 earthquake struck Haiti, leveling the buildings and killing thousands. This is the worst disaster to ever hit the region after more than 200 years.

Haiti occupies an area almost the size of Maryland. This is found in the Caribbean Island of Hispaniola. The said devastated part of the earthquake is in the countries capital where nearly 8.7 million residents are of African descent and speak Creole and French—Port-au-prince.

People find the devastation as one cruel joke for the people of Haiti. Being the poorest country plus the most to be hit by storms, the earthquake with such strong intensity seems like the biggest stroke of bad luck. In this event both poor and powerful people are affected gravely.

Among the said devastated landmarks in Port-Au-Prince are the cathedral, the UN headquarters and the National Palace. Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot, 63, was one of those found dead in the ruins of his office. Haiti’s Senate President was among those trapped alive inside the Parliament building.

Red Cross and other aid groups presently had already announced their plans for major relief operations to help Haiti. President Preval of Haiti stated that it will take at least two to three days to complete the retrieval since many are feared to be trapped inside.

Already, there are 100,000 people reported to be found dead and more so to speak, speculated to be 500,000 all in all with others still trapped inside. After the quake, people find themselves looking for relatives among piles of dead bodies place on the side streets.

With many loosing homes and others still trapped inside, countries began giving their support for Haiti. US President Barrack Obama promised an all out rescue. At the sight of the devastation, agencies that were sent their—missionaries and the UN peacemakers—are even occupied not in their mission to help the people affected but by checking for survivors from their damaged headquarters. An American missionary drove 100 miles to search for her wife with the same occupation as she was also one of those trapped. He dug the grounds of place where she was for almost an hour before finally getting her out with another missionary. They were featured in CBS news. An estimated 40,000 to 45,000 Americans live n Haiti. Presently the US Embassy has no confirmed reports of deaths among the said US citizens.

According to US Geological Survey, the said quake struck the nation at around 4:53 in the afternoon and was centered 10 miles west of Port-Au-Prince as the depth of 5 miles. This was said to be the strongest earthquake since 1770.

Hospitals in Haiti are in trouble of not being capable enough to give medical attention to the great number of victims. Respiratory problem and diarrhea are said to be illnesses expected firstly because of the dust remnants from rubbles of buildings, the other health problem due to possible water contamination. More so Dengue, Malaria, and other ailments already experience by the Haitian people before the quake will definitely affect more people this time. Secondary ailments are also feared to develop as there are people with broken bones and other injuries possibly not to be given medical attention immediately.

Everybody is totally shaken. People with relative in Haiti—one of them is an award winning Haitian-American author—are worried as they try to contact relatives who are settled there. At present more devastating news are coming from the said countries as reports of death and buildings destroyed like the embassies (such as France), are destroyed. US coast guards and other aids such as Red Cross are gathering relief help especially medical aids to care for those affected by the quake.

Source : http://www.articlesbase.com/nature-articles/in-need-of-help-haitis-devastation-after-the-earthquake-1863566.html

No comments:

Post a Comment