haiti

One of the poorest and least developed countries in the world, Haiti in recent years has struggled with problems ranging from near-constant political upheaval, health crises, severe environmental degradation and an annual barrage of hurricanes. On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake struck Haiti, reducing much of its capital to rubble. It was the worst earthquake in the region in more than 200 years. A preliminary assessment from Haiti's government put the body count at 150,000 on Jan. 23. The devastation created serious obstacles to those attempting to deliver promised foreign aid.

People were caught beneath the rubble of collapsed office buildings, homes, schools, and even a prison. The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 M_w earthquake. Its epicentre was near Léogâne, approximately 25 km (16 miles) west of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. The earthquake occurred at 16:53 local time (21:53 UTC) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010, at a depth of 13 km (8.1 miles). The United States Geological Survey recorded a series of at least 33aftershocks, 14 of which were between magnitudes 5.0 and 5.9. The International Red Cross estimated that about three million people were affected by the quake; the Haitian Interior Minister, Paul Antoine Bien-Aimé, anticipated on 15 January that the disaster would eventually claim between 100,000 and 200,000 lives As of 24 January 2010 the confirmed death toll was 150,000.

Many families have lost loved ones and many other families have lost their homes, schools, churches, and everything else. Just when they thought it was over and time to rebuild, a week later another earthquake struck. This one was deeper in the ground so it was more like an aftershock so it didnt do as much damage but it still hurt the city.

The earthquake caused major damage to Port-au-Prince, Jacmel and other settlements in the region. Many notable landmark buildings were significantly damaged or destroyed, including the Presidential Palace (President René Préval, who was in the building at the time, escaped injury), the National Assembly building, the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, and the main jail. Among those killed were the Archbishop of Port-au-Prince, Monsignor Joseph Serge Miot;Justice Minister Paul Denis; and opposition leaderMichel Gaillard. The headquarters of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), located in the capital, collapsed, killing many, including the Mission's Chief, Hédi Annabi.

With 13,000 personnel in Haiti and on ships offshore, the US military has overtaken the UN's peacekeeping mission's capacity. Last Friday it obtained broad authority to control air and sea ports and secure roads to support relief efforts.Ministers from 11 countries were due to meet in Montreal to co-ordinate international aid to Haiti.The first high-powered gathering since the earthquake struck would work towards a ''clear, common vision'' of how to rebuild the country, said Canadian Foreign Minister Lawrence Cannon. There have been calls for a ''Marshall Plan for Haiti'' from some experts on the region, and warnings that the US alone would have to contribute $US5 billion ($A5.5 billion) over the next few years to stabilise its troubled neighbor.

Haiti needs our prayers and donations more than anything right now. So many people are raising money for this devastated country and the need much more. Even if you cannot donate any food or money or anything, prayers are always just as good if not better. These people are going through the worst disaster the world has experienced in quite some time! Just imagine if your family was stuck beneath the rubble of your home that you were raised in. Before you complain, stop and think, this could be you!

found on http://www.theage.com.au/world/haitian-quake-toll-could-hit-300000-20100125-mug1.html?autostart=1 and World news