Just a month after losing its beloved president- Jovenel Moise, in an unfortunate assassination, Haiti is struck with a devastating earthquake of magnitude of 7.2.
A century of hardships
Haiti was once a wealthy French colony of enslaved blacks, but it fell drastically into economic difficulties after its slave revolt.
It paid a heavy amount of 90 million gold francs to the French slaveholders for becoming the world’s oldest black republic.
The debt accounts for some billion dollars today, and the country spent over more than 100 years paying it off.
As a result, Haiti is currently the poorest country in the western hemisphere and has faced some long-term battles to ensure its stability.
Poverty-stricken Haiti is not just facing economic instability. It is surrounded well by environmental and political hardships too.
It has gone through a long period of dictatorship and has recently witnessed the assassination of its beloved president- Jovenel Moise, which has resulted in a struggle for power situation.
Haiti’s geographical location is one of its most significant disadvantages.
The country was dealt a severe blow in 2010 when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck, killing an estimated 250,000 people.
It also faced the disaster of hurricane Matthew in 2016, and today, it’s again on the brink of catastrophe after getting struck with a 7.2 magnitude earthquake.
The devastation
The powerful earthquake struck just 90 minutes outside the country’s capital and in the southernmost part of the country.
It has triggered the rise of towns and landslides that have hampered rescue efforts in two hardest-hit communities.
Around 1300 people are dead, and hundreds are reported as missing.
The 8:30 Am Saturday’s event has turned many buildings to rubble, and people are running out of their homes out of fear.
Haiti was already facing a shortage of food, gas and other commodities, but now people are finding it more difficult to sustain themselves through the next day.
People are crying for hospital beds, food and for their loved ones.
Helping hands
The people of Haiti are living a nightmare once again.
The ongoing covid-19 condition has become riskier for the administration as people are running towards communal spaces such as schools and community halls, which are already overcrowded.
Before the donation of 500,000 doses by the USA, Haiti was the only country in the Americas without a single dose of vaccine.
The vaccination process has yet to be completed, which adds to a double burden situation.
And prime minister Ariel Henry has declared a one-month state of emergency for the whole country, giving out a statement that he won’t accept any international donations until the extent of the damage is predicted.
Still, a charity like Shelter box, which provides emergency shelter and supplies for families affected by natural disasters and conflict, has led a hand forward to help.
Even the foreign Affairs Minister of Canada-Marc Garneau, has tweeted that Canada is ready to provide consular assistance to Haiti.
Under such devastating situations, Haitian can only hope and pray for their wellbeing, as many expect the news is only going to get worse in the coming days, and Haiti should be ready to face the worst of all.
