2010 Haiti Earthquake Disaster Relief

The 7.0 earthquake which struck Haiti on Tuesday 12th January 2010, caused massive loss of lives. Its epicentre was 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince, a densely packed urban centre of more than 2 million people.

This was a humanitarian crisis and the most powerful earthquake to hit Haiti in 200 years. Eight years later, the effects of the earthquake are still very much visible – as reconstruction continues.

In terms of impact, 190,000 houses were damaged, of which 105,000 were completely destroyed.

• UPDATE: read about the damage Hurricane Matthew caused in Haiti in 2016 and our response to it

What was our response to the Haiti earthquake (2010)

Mobilising local workers, volunteers and aid

Four years after this devastating earthquake, our five year disaster recovery programme has helped over 57,000 families (roughly 250,000 people). With the help of our supporters and donors, this is what we’ve achieved, in the 12 months following the disaster:

• Built 300 permanent homes in Léogâne.
• Constructed 5,000 upgradable shelters.
• Repaired 683 homes in Port-au-Prince and Cabaret.
• Created 2,100 job opportunities.
• Implemented 19 critical infrastructure projects such as kiosks for safe water, street lighting and improved sanitation.
• Conducted 12,000 damage assessments.
• Provided 2,000 people with access to clean water.
• Trained 6,600 people in construction skills, financial literacy, business development, and health and hygiene to curb the outbreak of cholera.
• Assembled and distributed 24,600 emergency shelter kits.
• Set up the Haiti Property Law Working Group to help Haiti deal with long-standing land issues.

Habitat for Humanity’s Santo community has literally risen from the dust of the earthquake to become home for 300 families left homeless by the disaster.

What happens after the Haiti earthquake: aiming for long-term recovery

There is still a long way to go. Of the more than 2 million affected survivors, approximately 200,000 are still homeless (according to the Internal Organisation for Migration).

We are working tirelessly with the communities to build secure homes. With a 60% unemployment rate, Haiti also needs our help to build long term economic growth by training and hiring Haitians to boost local jobs.

“We are now focussing our efforts on helping communities rebuild. … We are committed to continuing our work in Haiti and helping more Haitian families move into safe, permanent homes and neighbourhoods” (Jonathan Reckford, CEO of Habitat for Humanity International.)

• Find out more about our work to tackle housing poverty in Haiti
• Find out about our long term recovery strategy for natural disasters