Haiti Shaken

The devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, was a catastrophic event that left an indelible mark on the nation. With a magnitude of 7.0, the earthquake's epicenter was near the capital city, Port-au-Prince, affecting an estimated three million people. The impact caused widespread destruction of infrastructure, including homes, schools, hospitals, and government buildings. The death toll was staggering, with official estimates surpassing 230,000 lives lost, although some reports suggest even higher figures.

The earthquake exacerbated the already challenging socio-economic conditions in Haiti, which was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere at the time. The humanitarian crisis unfolded rapidly, with millions left homeless and in desperate need of basic necessities such as clean water, food, and medical assistance. International aid efforts were mobilized, but logistical challenges, damaged transportation routes, and overwhelmed local resources posed significant hurdles. The aftermath of the earthquake underscored the vulnerability of Haiti to natural disasters and highlighted the urgent need for long-term reconstruction and resilience-building efforts. The international community, including governments, NGOs, and relief organizations, rallied to provide assistance and support to help Haiti recover from one of the deadliest earthquakes in modern history.

The condition for my going was that I would have less than 24-hours to shoot and that I would be required to leave on the same jet I came in on. I agreed without hesitation.