The Restless Earth- LEDC, Haiti

Location: Island in the Caribbean, shares island with the Dominican Republic to the east.

Date of earthquake: 12th of January 2010

Size on Richter Scale: 7

Cause: - North American plate and Caribbean plate sliding past each other at the conservative plate boundary.

- Both plates move in the same direction but one moves faster than the other.

- Friction between the plates caused pressure to build up, until it was eventually released as an earthquake.

Primary Effects:-Over 220,000 killed and 300,000 injured.

- 1.3 million people made homeless.

- 60% of government buildings, including the Palace, destroyed of badly damaged.

- The main prison was destroyed and 4,000 inmates escaped.

- Transport and communication links, including the airport, were severly damaged.

Secondary Effects: - Collapsed police force meant looting became a serious problem.

- Dead bodies caused many diseases, such as Cholera, which became a serious problem.

- 1/5 people became unemployed, especially due to the damage to the clothing industry.

- Transport damage meant aid was not distributed effectively: 2 million without water or food.

- People squashed into temporary shelters and tents with poor sanitation and disease.

Immediate Reponses: - Dominican Republic sent emergency water and medical suplies, as well as machinery to help with searches.

- Organisations like the Red Cross set up temportary hospitals to treat the injured.

- United Nations troops sent to deliver aid and keep order.

- Money sent worldwide from individual donations.

Long- Term Responses: - Money pledged by other countries to assist with the rebuild.

- Support given to the unemeployed: cash for work projects pay people to clear rubble.

- After 1 year 98% of rubble still remained.

- Schools being rebuilt and new teachers trained.