With 200,000 predicted dead and million without food, water and shelter is the world doing enough to tackle the Haiti earthquake?
It is the worst death toll from an earthquake since the 2004 Asian Tsunami, and the second-highest death toll form an earthquake in more than 3 decades, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. The impact of the earthquake seems to be much increased by the poor social and economic status of the country.
''The impact of this earthquake is magnified because it has hit a country that was already desperately poor and historically volatile,'' said British Development Secretary Douglas Alexander.
As a LEDC the country is not well equipped to deal with such a huge disaster this has meant that the country has had to ask other countries for pledges of money to help them get through the crisis. Currently, only $500 million has been pledged by the EU. This is only fraction of the total amount needed to get the country back on its feet and into recovery stages.
Even with this money the country is still finding it difficult to delegate and share out the supplies they have. This has meant that millions of people are left starving and in danger in the aftermath of the quake. in a minor attempt to combat this, the USA took over the controlling of the only airport in the country. This has meant that the huge surplus that had built up was soon dissipated and was on its way to reaching the needy.
Another problem facing those in Haiti is the fact that many of the officials of the country, who normally, in a situation such as this would taking control and delegating were killed in the quake. The USA has once again stepped in and offered its services help saying it was 'ready to provide whatever humanitarian aid may be required.'
The armies of foreign countries will play a vital part in the clear up of Haiti and therefore many other countries are also mobilising their troops and aid workers to send out to Haiti to work. Before the official rescue mission ended last Friday 134 people had pulled alive from the rubble showing the huge difference these teams make in situations such as this. However, some rescue teams are being hindered by daylight and safety restrictions.
Nevertheless, even with these promising hopes of increased aid being sent to Haiti the fact still remains that the country is facing the biggest earthquake aftermath in 30 years. It will most certainly be an epic clear up act for the individuals of Haiti, the country itself and the world.
Click on the link below for more information on the aid being sent to Haiti.
