Haiti commemorates twelve years of the devastating 2010 earthquake

Haiti commemorated this Wednesday the twelfth anniversary of the earthquake that caused more than 300,000 deaths and caused great destruction in the metropolitan area of ​​Port-au-Prince.

The main event was a wreath, made by the Prime Minister, Ariel Henry, at the monument erected in Saint-Christophe, north of the capital, in memory of the victims.

Later, Henry participated in an ecumenical celebration held in the gardens of the National Palace, a building that was destroyed by the earthquake and has not been rebuilt.

“Twelve years later, the country continues to mourn its dead and the wounds remain open. May God continue to watch over Haiti,” said the head of government.

For several years, the date of January 12 has been declared a day of reflection dedicated to the memory of the victims of the January 2010 earthquake.

According to the norms established in a 2015 decree, the national flag flies at half-mast throughout the Republic, discotheques and other similar establishments are asked to remain closed, and radio and television stations are invited to adapt their programming to the chance.

On January 12, 2010, the earthquake of magnitude 7 on the Richter scale caused more than 300,000 deaths, mostly in Port-au-Prince, and caused the displacement of 1.5 million people.

The commemorations 12 years later come at a time of serious political, economic and social crisis in Haiti, following the tragic events of 2021, including the assassination of President Jovenel Moise.

On August 14, 2021, there was another strong earthquake, similar in magnitude to 2010, but less deadly because it affected a less populated area.

The 2021 earthquake shook the southern peninsula of Haiti, killing more than 2,000 people and leaving more than 690,000 affected.

Five months later, thousands of victims are still waiting for a home and are still living in tents. (I)