For the second time in two decades, Haiti has been devastated by a major earthquake. Just over a month after the assassination of its President, Jovenel Moïse, an extreme earthquake hit the small country of Haiti. Political and economic instability has been rampant in the country since nearly its founding; however, such instability has been amplified by the onset of many natural disasters over the past several decades. 

In 2010, a similarly sized 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck the area near Port-au-Prince and caused years of infrastructure and economic damage which Haiti is still recovering from. The earthquake killed an estimated 250,000 people. The question now is if this will have the same effect as the last earthquake, and how soon Haiti can recover. Due to the recent political chaos following the assassination of its President, Haiti will need to find better ways to clean up the mess left by the earthquake.

On August 14, 2021, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Tiburon Peninsula of Haiti, west of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. The earthquake was more powerful than the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti in 2010. As of August 27, more than 2,200 people have died as a result of the earthquake, while more than 12,200 people have been injured and hundreds remain missing. More than 40% of Haiti’s population is in need of assistance as houses, schools, medical facilities and more have been demolished. 

Along with the earthquake devastating several families, it has struck homes, businesses, schools, and more. Nearly 61,000 homes have been completely destroyed, while 76,000 have sustained major damage. Haiti was also struck by Tropical Storm Grace in the middle of August, provoking flooding in the communities which further slowed down relief efforts. On the matter Noelle Balson, member of the language department, said that no members of the language or global department had ever travelled to Haiti on the basis that it was “Probably one of the poorest countries on earth. One disaster after another and extremely dangerous conditions for foreigners and locals.”

Haiti is currently experiencing one of its darkest times as a country. The assassination of its President and the unfortunate striking of a 7.2 magnitude earthquake has left the country in shambles. For those who’d like to donate – https://www.unicefusa.org/?form=FUNZZFVXQHV. UNICEF will use the proceeds for “…the aftermath of a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, where children were already suffering amidst surging COVID-19 cases, severe acute malnutrition, and gang violence.”