Virtual presentationEarthquake-Caribbean,HaitiBy: Jana Abu-Odeh9E

Environmental Hazards are hazards that everyone is exposed to in their everyday lives. These hazards are part of nature but can be very harmful if the proper precautions aren't taken.

Often we do not have a choice regarding whether or not we may be exposed to environmental hazards.

Earth quakes can strike at any location at any time, most occur along the edge of the oceanic and continental plates.

When two plates run into each other or slide along each other an earthquake is caused.

It has been estimated that in one year, a magnitude of 7.0-7.9 on the rectar scale, which causes a Major earthquake and serious damage, only 20 could occur. And this year January 2010, the first of 20, occurred in the Caribbean, Haiti.

Second largest Caribbean in the island, Haiti is situated 77km southeast of Cuba.

Haiti occupies western third of the island it shares with the Dominican republic.

Its capital city is port-au-prince, its population is estimated to be 10,804,812.

Its official languages are French and Creole.

On Tuesday 12th January 2010, an earthquake struck in Haiti around 5pm local time.

It was a catastrophic magnitude of 7.0,the depth of the earthquake was 13 km (8.1 miles).

It has been confirmed that it caused 170,000 deaths, and left 1.2 million people home less.

The earthquake caused major damage to the capital, port-au-prince, and other settlements in the region.

Many notable landmark buildings were significantly damaged or destroyed, including the Presidential Palace, the National Assembly building, the Port-au-Prince Cathedral, and the main jail.

The International Red Cross estimated that about three million people were affected by the quake;

Haitian President Rene Preval stated on 27 January that "nearly 170,000" bodies had been counted.

The New York Times reported on 28 January that 20,000 commercial buildings and 225,000 residences had collapsed or were severely damaged.

In the nights following the earthquakes, many people slept in the streets, on pavements, or in their cars because there houses have been destroyed.

The Haitian government began a programme to move homeless people out of Port-au-Prince, to camps.

Having lost their homes, many Haitians now live in precarious camps.

Social Impacts

social impacts are that people will become poor because there are no jobs since all the companies have collapsed.

Families will easily be broken up or separated due to the earthquake.

children will become orphans, and might have to be adopted or live in foster homes because they have been separated from their family, or they cant afford to raise them on their own.

people will rebel, or have cycological issues because of what they experienced.

Social impacts Examples

In reality, because children have been separated from their family and left as orphans, from all around the world people have developed hundreds of websites or started services into adopting Haiti children.

for example, There is a website in specific called “free the kids” that’s mainly focuses on the kids of Haiti.

There are a lot of other websites and services available such as “world vision’’ where you could sponsor a child, basically adopting them but sending money to where they are living, you send money for their education, health and much more.

Economical impacts

The economy is suffering badly, because all the business buildings and companies that kept the countries economy running fell apart.

Haiti is under developed economically, in other words it’s a poor country, after the earthquake they need to rebuild.

They need money for reparations, but they will fall in dept.foreign governments have already started giving aid and donating money to start rebuilding to eliminate the damage caused and to start rebuilding the infrastructure, mainly the roads and the ports so that food and medicine aid donations can go and can be distributed to the needy. they will eventually need loans from other countries, and will receive charity money from around the world to heal the damage.

Economical Impacts Example

For example, The American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake.

They expect to provide immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support.

in the developing world such as Haiti the cost of natural disasters in unacceptably high.

they are sending money to nongovernmental aid organizations that were already working in Haiti because they'll have the most knowledge about how best to distribute aid.

Political Impacts

The government might not be capable enough of controlling the damage

This could cause conflict between the citizens and their government due to disagreement of the weak handling of the situation.

And due to the fact that the government has to ask other governments from around the world for loans, and they have to agree on the amount that they need because sometimes its too much to ask for.

After disasters and loss of life there is a lot of frustration, people take out their frustration on the streets, they start violating the law, and the government tries to stop them.

People start to steal and cause a lot of conflict.

Political Impacts Example

For example the American government (president) President Obama also announced a 100 million dollar aid package for Haiti. and sent thousands of soldiers to protect the ports, so that human aid shipments can be distributed, and so that the law can be maintained in certain areas.

This is perhaps the most responsible action that has been taken in recent history for creating the desperate economic conditions that Haitians find themselves in today, and for making such an agreement with the Haitian government for such a huge loan.

Environmental impacts

As would be the case after any natural disaster, water-borne illness could run rampant and chemicals and oil could leak out of damaged storage facilities as a result of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that ripped apart Haiti.

the biggest issue is the building waste; some 40 percent to 50 percent of the buildings fell in Port-au-Prince and nearby towns.

The island nation suffers from one of the highest rates of deforestation in the world. This is troubling for a number of reasons. The loss of nearly all its trees promises to amplify how dramatically earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural occurrences impact Haitians.

The loss of trees and their roots has led to widespread erosion.

Environmental impacts Examples

A woman carries a load of firewood in Seguin, Haiti, among a beautiful but now, nearly treeless landscape that is supposed to be a protected forest. Haitians use the trees as fuel either by burning them directly or turning them into charcoal.

But now that the earthquake struck, its harder to collect those useful recourses.

What to do before an earthquake

Check for Hazards in the Home Fasten shelves securely to walls. Place large or heavy objects on lower shelves. Store breakable items such as bottled foods, glass, and china in

low, closed cabinets with latches. Hang heavy items such as pictures and mirrors away from beds,

couches, and anywhere people sit. Brace overhead light fixtures. Repair defective electrical wiring and leaky gas connections. These

are potential fire risks. Secure a water heater by strapping it to the wall studs and bolting it

to the floor. Repair any deep cracks in ceilings or foundations. Get expert advice

if there are signs of structural defects. Store weed killers, pesticides, and flammable products securely in

closed cabinets with latches and on bottom shelves.

You have to be ready.

Identify Safe Places Indoors and Outdoors Under sturdy furniture such as a heavy desk or table. Against an inside wall. Away from where glass could shatter around windows, mirrors,

pictures, or where heavy bookcases or other heavy furniture could fall over.

In the open, away from buildings, trees, telephone and electrical lines, overpasses, or elevated expressways.

Have Disaster Supplies on Hand Flashlight and extra batteries. Portable battery-operated radio and extra batteries. First aid kit and manual. Emergency food and water. Nonelectric can opener. Essential medicines. Cash and credit cards. Sturdy shoes

How to protect yourself

Stay inside and duck and cover. Get underneath a desk or table, or stand in a corner or under a doorway. Cover your head and neck with your arms.

Move against an interior wall if in a high-rise building with no protective desk or table nearby. Cover your head and neck with your arms.

Try to get into an open area away from trees, buildings, walls, signs and power lines if outdoors.

Pull over to the side of the road away from overpasses and power lines if driving. Stay in your car until the shaking ends.

Get away from shelves or other areas where objects may fall if in a crowded store or public area. Do not run for the door. Crouch and cover your head and neck with your hands and arms.

Stay in your seat if in a stadium or a theater. Get below the level of the back of the seat and cover your head and neck with your arms.

Awareness

This isn't the first time that an earthquake as big as the one that happened in Haiti could occur.

We should take this as a warning sign or a way to get everyone around the world to be ready for an earthquake like this one.

It could happen at any unexpected moment, so awareness is the most important thing.

People have to be aware of the damage an earthquake could cause, as it did to Haiti.

We all have to be aware of the consequences we will suffer, like economy collapsing, families separating, homeless children and conflict.

Save Haiti!

Haiti is suffering so much damage to their country, their environment to the people, they have lost their loved ones and the earthquake left homeless children separated from their families, the country is collapsing, its economy is falling apart. the whole world is doing as much as it can to help Haiti, with school fundraisers, charities, and massive loans from different countries. Make a donation, and save Haiti!