The Haiti Earthquake: An Urban Solution

On 12th of January 2010, an earthquake measuring 7 on
the Richter scale struck Haiti. Approximately 3.5 million
people lived in areas directly affected by the earthquake.
An estimated 220,000 people died during and immediately
after the earthquake and a further 1.5 million people were
displaced. The earthquake dramatically increased the levels
of unemployment, with productive assets lost or damaged
and infrastructure shattered. The earthquake resulted in a
significant increase in household food insecurity and loss of
livelihoods.
As a result of the earthquake, poverty levels were estimated
to have risen by 30-50% in Port au Prince (PaP) and by
80% in the commune of Carrefour. Across the city, people
struggled to afford to eat, as food became less affordable
and less accessible. Early assessments have indicated
that people resorted to a range of coping strategies, from
reducing the number of meals and borrowing money, to
selling assets and engaging in sex work.