Multi-hazardous Environment

• Haiti is a multi-hazardous environment on the island of Hispaniola, within a volcanic island arc. It is 163rd concerning HDI
• Haiti is physically vulnerable due to the presence of two major fault lines running through Hispaniola, causing a transform boundary. It also lies in the direct path of many tropical storms
• Haiti is socially vulnerable as it used to be colonised by the Spanish, and was given to France in 1697 for sugar. Toussaint Louveture successfully led the Haitian revolution
• Haiti - 2016 Hurricane Matthew

  • Wind speeds up to 140mph
  • 1600 killed
  • Up to 40 inch flooding
  • In the response, they managed to eradicated the cholera epidemic in 2 years, which had killed 10,000
• Haiti - 2010 Earthquake

  • Magnitude 7
  • Killed 300,000 the 5th most deadly disaster in human record
  • $8.5 billion damage
  • Cholera epidemic 2010-17 caused by UN sent guards
  • UN gave 30% of promised money
  • Claimed to build 132,000 houses, but only built 6
  • 1.5 million homeless in 1100 camps which were dangerous
• Cite Soleil is a local multi hazardous environment located within Port au Prince in Haiti. Port au Prince has a population of 800,000 and Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere
• Cite Soleil is physically vulnerable as it is on a fault line, so it experiences earthquakes. It is also in an area where 11% of tropical storms hit. Waste from nearby Petionville creates biological hazards
• Cite Soleil is socially vulnerable as there was an economic crisis in the 1990s which led people to rely on the informal economy. Gang presence within the area creates fear and media stigma. A survey showed only 15% of people think the government do a good job
• Community Responses in Cite Soleil

  • Sakala - youth centre which provides a safe space away from gangs and gives 150 scholarships
  • Jaden Tap Tap - local community gardens provide residents with jobs, hobbies and a break