Haiti Earthquake Research Paper
THE HAITI EARTHQUAKE:
UNITED STATES LEADS AN INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE AND RECOVERY
Introduction President Obama promised that Haiti would have the “unwavering support” of the United States. Mr. Obama said that the United States aid agencies were moving swiftly to get help to Haiti and that search-and-rescue teams were en route. He described the reports of destruction as “truly heart-wrenching,” made more cruel given Haiti’s long-troubled circumstances. “This is a time when we are reminded of the common humanity that we all share,” Mr. Obama said. (Romero, 2010). On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake – arguably the worst quake in over 200 years – struck the tiny country of Haiti. Haiti, a country that is roughly the size of Rhode Island, shares the island of Hispaniola, and sits on top of a seismically active region. The amount of devastation was akin to the damage done to lower Manhattan after the attack on the twin towers, except that the damage stretched across an entire country. Listen to a first hand account of the suffering: “Things are very crazy here. I arrived in Haiti one hour before the earthquake hit. I came home and I was starting to unpack my bag when the house starting dancing. …show more content…
Haiti shares this Caribbean island with its neighbor, the Domincan Republic. Haiti comprises 27,750 square miles, which is approximately 1/3 of Hispaniola. (CIA, 2011.) The island was originally inhabited by an Indian (native) tribe, called the Taino Amerindians. It is unknown how long the natives were living on the island, but they were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. (World Facts, 2008). Columbus was the first known European to land on Hispaniola. Unfortunately for the Taino Amerindians, they were practically wiped out by the European settlers who invaded the island. Most of these settlers were Spaniards and they laid claim to the island for
UNITED STATES LEADS AN INTERNATIONAL RESPONSE AND RECOVERY
Introduction President Obama promised that Haiti would have the “unwavering support” of the United States. Mr. Obama said that the United States aid agencies were moving swiftly to get help to Haiti and that search-and-rescue teams were en route. He described the reports of destruction as “truly heart-wrenching,” made more cruel given Haiti’s long-troubled circumstances. “This is a time when we are reminded of the common humanity that we all share,” Mr. Obama said. (Romero, 2010). On January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake – arguably the worst quake in over 200 years – struck the tiny country of Haiti. Haiti, a country that is roughly the size of Rhode Island, shares the island of Hispaniola, and sits on top of a seismically active region. The amount of devastation was akin to the damage done to lower Manhattan after the attack on the twin towers, except that the damage stretched across an entire country. Listen to a first hand account of the suffering: “Things are very crazy here. I arrived in Haiti one hour before the earthquake hit. I came home and I was starting to unpack my bag when the house starting dancing. …show more content…
Haiti shares this Caribbean island with its neighbor, the Domincan Republic. Haiti comprises 27,750 square miles, which is approximately 1/3 of Hispaniola. (CIA, 2011.) The island was originally inhabited by an Indian (native) tribe, called the Taino Amerindians. It is unknown how long the natives were living on the island, but they were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1492. (World Facts, 2008). Columbus was the first known European to land on Hispaniola. Unfortunately for the Taino Amerindians, they were practically wiped out by the European settlers who invaded the island. Most of these settlers were Spaniards and they laid claim to the island for