On this day exactly one year ago, a vicious earthquake struck approximately 35 miles west southwest of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince.
It devastated the whole nation. The quake measured 7.0 on the Richter scale and an aftershock measuring 5.9 left a catastrophic path of destruction.
The Haitian government estimated that 200,000 people died, 300,000 were injured, and over 1,000,000 were made homeless.
A year later, there is still much work to be done. More help is needed and humanitarian effort is still in effect. Millions remain homeless in a lackluster effort to rebuild homes and the weak infrastructures that remain.
Tens of thousands of tents now remain, leaving occupying survivors deprived and waiting for aid.
Last fall, a Cholera outbreak spread through out Haiti, as a result of the extremely damaged water and sanitation systems. Nearly 3,000 people died of Cholera and more than 100,000 were infected.
Although it is mind blowing to see millions of people suffering, someone has to be held accountable for the delayed response.
The Haitian government failed to create immediate solutions and was disorganized in its efforts.
The November elections were a failure: thousands who died were still on the rolls, and survivors were turned down due to lack of organization and fraud.
Most candidates condemmed the vote due to violence and voter intimidation. No leader has yet emerged.
Despite setbacks, Haiti recieved international relief through donations. The United States sent $120 million to a reconstruction fund and provided about $200 million in debt relief. President Obama called it “one of the largest relief efforts in U.S. history.”
According to The Chronicle Of Philanthropy, U.S. relief groups have collected more than $97 million in donations.
With the increasing support from worldwide aid and a developing government mending broken policies, Haiti is destined for improvement.
Better leadership and organization is necessary for a complete turnaround.