Unidentified Bodies and Mass-Fatality Management in Haiti: A Case Study of the January 2010 Earthquake with a Cross-Cultural Comparison

Abstract

The following paper examines the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti as a case study to understand what happens to unidentified bodies in mass-fatality management. The paper explores the literature on mass-fatality management, discusses the context of Haiti and the impact of the earthquake in this country, mentions the methods undertaken for this study, and then outlines the key findings from this particular disaster. The paper compares preliminary conclusions in Haiti to other incidents in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and concludes with a discussion of implications for research and practice.

Inequity after death: Exploring the equitable utilization of FEMA's COVID‐19 funeral assistance funds

“…The lack of preservation made identification of bodies nearly impossible after 48 h. Results also indicated that the lack of local and national mass fatality management plans undermined the quality and timeliness of the response. McEntire et al (2012) found similar results when examining the response to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. Specifically, these authors traveled to the capital of Haiti, Port-au-Prince, 1 month after the earthquake struck, and again nearly 5 months later.…”

“…Sadiq & McEntire, 2012 and McEntire et al ( 2012 ) found similar results when examining the response to the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. Specifically, these authors traveled to the capital of Haiti, Port‐au‐Prince, 1 month after the earthquake struck, and again nearly 5 months later.…”

Death managers, public health, and COVID‐19: An exploratory study

“…For some jurisdictions depending upon size, a mass fatality incident could mean a few decedents—the exact number is less relevant than the availability of local resources and personnel to handle the tragedy. Despite the importance of mass fatality management, more work is needed to understand how it varies from area to area, and the effects on the responders (McEntire et al, 2012).…”

“…Using the 2010 Haiti earthquake as their example, McEntire et al (2012) reveal death management shortcomings that were paralleled during the ongoing pandemic throughout the world. For instance, in Haiti, the systems were overwhelmed, causing burials in mass graves.…”

“…Hart Island in New York, for example, was the site of mass burials of unclaimed bodies during the early stages of the pandemic. In another parallel, McEntire et al (2012) noted the victims were spread out rather than confined to one area. Moreover, funeral homes and burial grounds in Haiti were overwhelmed, and similar patterns played out during the height of the pandemic.…”