Health Response to the Earthquake in Haiti January 2010: Lessons to be Learned for the Next Massive Sudden-Onset Disaster

This publication's objective is to improve the health sector's response for future major disasters. It focuses on the first three months of the response after the January 2010 earthquake in Haiti and analyses the situation in the country prior to the disaster, including its state of vulnerability, risk reduction and preparedness, as well as its social, political, and economic determinants.

General description of the earthquake is presented, as well as discussion on the health impact, humanitarian assistance, life-saving response, beyond trauma care, information management, coordination, and key strategic lessons. Emphasis has been given to those lessons that are of general interest, especially for countries where the capital or main cities could be suddenly devastated.

The publication is the result of extensive research and over 150 interviews conducted after the disaster.