Geography Case
Study Notes
Aqa Gcse Geography
,PAPER 1
, Haiti Earthquake (2010)
Causes
Haiti lies right on the boundary of the Caribbean and North American plates. There was
slippage along a conservative plate boundary that runs through Haiti. On 12 January
2010, a magnitude 7 earthquake hit Haiti. The earthquake’s epicentre was 25 km west
of Port-au-Prince, the capital.
Effects
Social impacts of the earthquake Economic impacts of the earthquake
(effects on people) (effects on money and jobs)
• 3 million people affected. • 30,000 commercial buildings
• Over 220,000 deaths. collapsed.
• 300,000 injured. • Businesses destroyed.
• 1.3 million made homeless. • Damage to the main clothing industry.
• Several hospitals collapsed. • Airport and port damaged.
Response
Haiti is a very poor country without the money and resources to redevelop. It is one of the
least developed countries in the world with most Haitians living on $2 or less per day.
There were also a few earthquake-resistant buildings making the devastation massive.
Primary responses
• Neighbouring Dominican Republic provided emergency water and medical supplies as
well as heavy machinery to help with search and rescue.
• Emergency rescue teams arrived from a number of countries, eg Iceland.
• Temporary field hospitals were set up by the Red Cross.
• United Nations troops and police were sent to help distribute aid and keep order.
Secondary responses
• Money was pledged by organisations and governments to assist in rebuilding, but only
slow progress had been made after one year.
• After one year, there were still 1,300 camps.
• ‘Cash for work’ programs are paying Haitians to clear rubble.
• Schools are being rebuilt.
Study Notes
Aqa Gcse Geography
,PAPER 1
, Haiti Earthquake (2010)
Causes
Haiti lies right on the boundary of the Caribbean and North American plates. There was
slippage along a conservative plate boundary that runs through Haiti. On 12 January
2010, a magnitude 7 earthquake hit Haiti. The earthquake’s epicentre was 25 km west
of Port-au-Prince, the capital.
Effects
Social impacts of the earthquake Economic impacts of the earthquake
(effects on people) (effects on money and jobs)
• 3 million people affected. • 30,000 commercial buildings
• Over 220,000 deaths. collapsed.
• 300,000 injured. • Businesses destroyed.
• 1.3 million made homeless. • Damage to the main clothing industry.
• Several hospitals collapsed. • Airport and port damaged.
Response
Haiti is a very poor country without the money and resources to redevelop. It is one of the
least developed countries in the world with most Haitians living on $2 or less per day.
There were also a few earthquake-resistant buildings making the devastation massive.
Primary responses
• Neighbouring Dominican Republic provided emergency water and medical supplies as
well as heavy machinery to help with search and rescue.
• Emergency rescue teams arrived from a number of countries, eg Iceland.
• Temporary field hospitals were set up by the Red Cross.
• United Nations troops and police were sent to help distribute aid and keep order.
Secondary responses
• Money was pledged by organisations and governments to assist in rebuilding, but only
slow progress had been made after one year.
• After one year, there were still 1,300 camps.
• ‘Cash for work’ programs are paying Haitians to clear rubble.
• Schools are being rebuilt.
