On 12 January 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Haiti’s fragile houses, schools and public buildings collapsed when the disaster struck at 4.53pm. Port-au-Prince’s densely populated slums very soon became the scene of one of the biggest disasters of recent times. Over 230,000 died in the Haiti earthquake and over three million were affected. Aid agencies found themselves dealing with one of the most complex emergencies in terms of size, scale, logistics and location.

One year later, even though signs of hope are evident, the challenges remain. The hopes of new homes, jobs and a stable life have been hampered by hurricanes, floods and a cholera epidemic. Caritas works with Haitians in their daily difficulties and as they look towards rebuilding their country.[Read overview of Caritas providing long term help to rebuild Haiti ]

The first three months – emergency response Caritas started to send staff and aid to Haiti, also to donate money within hours of the earthquake. >>

A year in Haiti for one Caritas member organisation Catholic Relief Services had been working Haiti 55 years in Haiti. This is one year of their work in Haiti.>>

A voice in the rubble While we were there a dog from a German rescue team found signs of life in the rubble of the nearby cathedral.>>

HEALTH
Putting the “care” into healthcare Following the Haiti earthquake, Caritas was with the most-affected people from very early on and we managed to save lives and alleviate suffering within our capacity. >>	Poor sanitation, fragile health Crowded conditions in  camps, limited access  to  water and  heat poor sanitation combined to create a  cholera  time  bomb  for Haiti’s earthquake victims. >>

SHELTER
Brick by brick Nelson Elissier and Michelle Azor built their house brick by brick. They didn’t have much money, but every time they got a little, they bought building materials for their house. >>	Safe from snakes Francois Tifabe was walking through an alley near his home when the ground started to shake. Before he understood what was happening a nearby wall collapsed and the debris fell on his leg. >>

EDUCATION
Food for thought An estimated 90 per cent of schools in Port-au-Prince were damaged or destroyed, leaving around two million children without access to education. >>	Something solid in the uncertainty Saint Louis Wilner is counting his blessings that his wife and children are alive. He lost family members in the earthquake and also his house and possessions.>>
Providing children in camps with a safe place to play and grow An estimated 90 per cent of schools in Port-au-Prince were damaged or destroyed, leaving around two million children without access to education. >>

LIVELIHOODS
Livelihoods - Helping farmers in rural areas With Port-au-Prince in ruins following the earthquake, hundreds of thousands of people fled to the countryside. >>

This report is available on pdf


Haiti building together.

A film to mark the one year anniversary of the 12 January earthquake in Haiti. It highlights the response of the Caritas confederation of 165 Catholic charities working together and the generosity its supporters worldwide in helping Haitians rebuild their country.