Mortality, crime and access to basic needs before and after the Haiti earthquake: a random survey of Port-au-Prince households

Abstract

On 12 January 2010 an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale struck Haiti, causing unprecedented death, injury and destruction for an event of this magnitude. Our aim was to generate a rapid assessment of the primary consequences for the population of the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, the national capital. During the summer of 2009 we conducted a survey of 1,800 households in metropolitan Port-au-Prince. Six weeks after the earthquake, we attempted to trace these households in order to re-interview them. The questionnaire examined mortality and injuries generated by the natural disaster, as well as the character of victimization, food security and living arrangements following the quake. Data analysis incorporated sampling weights and adjusted for clustering within households. The original 2009 survey featured a 90 per cent response rate; in 2010 we re-interviewed 93 per cent of these households. We estimate that 158,679 people in Port-au-Prince (95 per cent CI 136,813-180,545) died during the quake or in the six-week period afterwards owing to injuries or illness. Children were at particular risk for death. In the six weeks after the earthquake, 10,813 people (95 per cent CI 6,726-14,900) were sexually assaulted, the vast majority of whom were female. In the same period 4,645 individuals (95 per cent CI 1,943-7,347) were physically assaulted. Of all households, 18.6 per cent (95 per cent CI 16.6-20.8) were experiencing severe food insecurity six weeks after the earthquake. 24.4 per cent (95 per cent CI 22.1-26.9) of respondents' homes were completely destroyed. Many residents of Port-au-Prince died during or as a result of the earthquake, albeit fewer than were widely reported. More than half of the capital's population experienced moderate to severe food insecurity, though remittances are a major protective factor in promoting food security. Survivors continue to experience high levels of sexual assault and limited access to durable shelter.

Impacts of natural disasters on smallholder farmers: gaps and recommendations

“…Billions of dollars were spent by international funding agencies that promoted NGOs as substitutes for the state which weakened the government [13,43]. Nevertheless, farmers reported receiving no support, leading to increased crime, mortality, and hunger [44]. There were limited efforts by FAO to support the Government of Haiti's Programme of Action to rebuild the agricultural sector, improve food security, and create employment and livelihood opportunities for the rural population and internally displaced people [42].…”

Integrating epidemiological and engineering approaches in the assessment of human casualties in earthquakes

“…Studies from Haiti (Kolbe et al 2010) and Taiwan (Chou et al 2004) found children to be at higher risk of death, and both reported similar odds ratios of 5.8 (95 % CI 4, 8.3) and 5.5 (95 % CI 4.4, 6.8), respectively.…”

“…These criteria used to screen all abstracts included. Thirteen studies met these criteria and were included in this section (Shoaf et al 1998;Mahue-Giangreco et al 2001;(Liang et al 2001;Peek-Asa et al 2003;Chou et al 2004;Doocy et al 2009Doocy et al , 2013Ellidokuz et al 2005;Dong et al 2012;Kolbe et al 2010;Osaki and Minowa 2001;Roces et al 1992;Armenian et al 1992). The steps of the literature review are described in Fig.…”

The changing health priorities of earthquake response and implications for preparedness: a scoping review

“…Women, children 96 and the elderly were identified as being more likely to have died at the time of the earthquake 97 . Women 27, 38, 39, 47, 59, 67, 98-102 , children 38 , elderly 38 and those with disabilities 103 were also reported as being disproportionately affected both with regard to earthquake-related injuries as well as other more routine health presentations.…”