Disasters of Haiti – How Devastating Was It?

Posted by admin on July 22nd, 2010 filed in General

The earthquake of Haiti on 12th January 2010 is probably the most tragic event to have befallen the impoverished island nation of Haiti. But the earthquake is only the most recent of a long list of disasters that have plagued this nation since the last 300 years.

In around 1770, Saint-Domingue, which would later become Haiti, was a well-established French cash crop colony. At this time, slaves formed a very high majority of the population of Haiti. Saint-Domingue experienced a major earthquake in 1770. 200 people died and buildings were flattened. The relatively low death toll has been attributed to the fact that a low rumble preceded the earthquake, allowing people to leave buildings before the quake hit. But the bigger impact of this earthquake was soon to follow in the form of widespread political devolution and social unrest. More than 30,000 people died in the aftermath from famine and food poisoning. Thousands of slaves revolted and escaped, setting the stage for the revolution in the 19th century and the formation of independent Haiti in 1804.

The next quake of significance hit this place in 1842 in Cap-Haitien, Haiti's second largest city. Nearly half the population of the city did not survive the quake. In the neighboring village of Port de Paix the sea withdrew 60 metres, ony to return and bury the village under nearly 6 metres of water. It was the worst recorded in Haiti's history before this year's major earthquake.

Haiti has also experienced more than a fair share of hurricanes over the years. The most recent and probably the cruelest was the recent hurricane of 2008. Four storms dumped heavy rains on the impoverished nation. The hillside, long stripped bare of forest cover due to indiscriminate deforestation, let floodwaters rampage into large areas of the country. The damage to life, crops and property was a staggering blow to a nation so poor. In 2004, hurricane Jean had been responsible for the deaths of nearly 3000 people. Hurricane Flora had killed 8000 people I 1963. Prior to that, hurricanes had been responsible for 2000 and 1000 deaths respectively in 1935 and 1954. More recently, Hurricane Gordon killed over 1000 Haitians while hurricane Georges destroyed over 80% of the country's crops in 1998.

Haiti does seem to be victim to a disproportionately high number of natural disasters. The most recent earthquake is yet another cruel blow on a country with a history of poverty, violence, instability, and environmental degradation.

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