Haiti EarthquakeJanuary 2010

On Tuesday 12 January, a major earthquake hit Haiti, measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale.

It struck 10 miles away from the capital Port-au-Prince.

This is the strongest earthquake that Haiti has experienced in more than 200 years.

12 January: Haiti

The earthquake was so strong that many buildings including the National Palace and the cathedral have collapsed. An estimated 50,000 people have died.

Destruction

Poverty in Haiti

This poverty makes the impact of the earthquake even greater.

Three million people live in the area affected by the earthquake.

Survivors urgently need clean water, food, basic shelter and medicines.

Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere.

Downtown Port-au-Prince before the magnitude 7 earthquake

Port-au-Prince before the earthquake

Haiti – Presidential Palace

Port-au-Prince Cathedral

Buildings affected by the earthquake lay in ruins in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan 13.

Port-au-Prince, Haiti