|
|
As of Feb. 12, an estimated
three million people were affected by the quake; the Haitian
Government reports that between 217,000 and 230,000 people
had been identified as dead, an estimated 300,000 injured,
and an estimated 1,000,000 homeless.
Seen here dead bodies on the streats of
Port au Prince. |
|
 |
The death toll is expected to
rise. They also estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000
commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.
Seen here the National Bank |
The earthquake caused major
damage to Port-au-Prince, Jacmel and other settlements in
the region.
Scenes from Jacmel |
|
 |
Many notable landmark buildings
were significantly damaged or destroyed, including the Presidential
Palace, the National Assembly building... |
| the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, and
the main jail. Among those killed were Archbishop of Port-au-Prince
Joseph Serge Miot, and opposition leader Micha 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. |
|
 |
Many countries responded to appeals
for humanitarian aid, pledging funds and dispatching rescue
and medical teams, engineers and support personnel. Communication
systems, air, land, and sea transport facilities, hospitals,
and electrical networks had been damaged by the earthquake,
which hampered rescue and aid efforts; confusion over who was
in charge, air traffic congestion, and problems with prioritisation
of flights further complicated early relief work. |
| Port-au-Prince's morgues were quickly
overwhelmed; tens of thousands of bodies were buried in mass
graves. As rescues tailed off, supplies, medical care and sanitation
became priorities. Delays in aid distribution led to angry appeals
from aid workers and survivors, and some looting and sporadic
violence were observed. |
 |
On 22 January the United Nations noted that the
emergency phase of the relief operation was drawing to a close,
and on the following day the Haitian government officially called
off the search for survivors.
www.wikipedia.org
Click on picture links below to view
some photoes some taken only minutes after the earthquake.
|
|
