Haiti's earthquake: a multiprofessional experience

Abstract

On January 12, 2010 an earthquake of 7.0 on the Richter scale struck Haiti, the poorest country in America. The quake's epicenter was in Leogane with extension to almost all the country also hitting Portau-Prince, the country's capital. This disaster caused a huge destruction and devastated more than 250,000 of houses and commercial buildings and left more than a million of homeless people. In the aftermath, this catastrophe caused 230,000 deaths and more than 30,000 wounded people (1). (Figures 1 A and B) After the disaster medical institutions, government and non-governmental organizations from around the world geared up to help. Many volunteer health professionals from different areas came together to perform this task. Previous studies described the severity and epidemiology of injuries post-earthquakes (2-3). The Wenchuan 2008 earthquake in China presented, based on the Injury Severity Score (ISS), 45% of cases with less than eight injuries (minor injuries), 41% between 9 and 14 (moderate injuries) and 13.9% over 15 (severe injuries) (2). Of the injuries of the Kashemir 2005 earthquake in Pakistan, 64.9% were superficial lacerations, 22.2% were fractures and 5.9% were contusions and sprains (3). These studies pointed out the need of a coordinated action and a well equipped hospital to take care of the victims. We believe that huge disasters are the greatest threat facing mankind. On account of Haiti limited resources and the great number of patients who needed care, a multi-professional action after the earthquake became

Desastres naturais em Arroio do Padre-RS

“…O terremoto teve seu epicentro em Léogâne e se expandiu por quase toda a extensão norte-sul do país, atingindo inclusive a capital, Porto Príncipe. O desastre causou grande destruição, com mais de 250 mil residências e 30 mil prédios comerciais arruinados, deixando mais de 1 milhão de desabrigados (STEINMAN et al, 2011)" (SOBRAL et al, 2010, p. 390).…”