Just weeks after the tragic assassination of Jovenel Moïse, Haiti has endured yet another hardship. The country was hit today with a massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake, devastating thousands of lives and putting the country in a larger predicament than it already was before. Where does Haiti go from here?
Jovenel Moïse was the former president of the Haitians, elected on 2017. He spent much of his political time fighting off criticism from his political rivals. His presidential term was unclear and he demanded that his five-year term end in the year of 2022. His actions were supported heavily by the United States. However, the public insisted that Moïse was to step down early on in 2021.
With Haiti’s gun violence and crime rates going through the roof, it’s true that the country is going through a rough time. The country has a population of around 11 million people, with most of them under harsh conditions of poverty. Haiti has been known for its weak infrastructure and governmental instability, but this is only because the country is still growing economically, and it has so far failed to rise its national GDP.
Haiti was also struck today with another massive event that will surely be detrimental to the country’s hopes of recovering after the political assassination.
The earthquake as of now has claimed nearly 1,300 lives, with another 5,700 plus with injury. Most of the fatalities have come from the South Administration Region, as reported by CNN news. The earthquake has also damaged hospitals and much needed roads for the shipment of goods and assistance. Regional gangs have also made it dangerous to travel freely.
While less deadly than the horrific 7.0 magnitude earthquake back in 2010 that killed over 220,000 people, the balance of Haiti is at its tipping point. What Haiti needs now is outside influence, preferably the United Nations. The country needs a leader and a reconstruction of its political parliament, as well as medical supplies for those wounded by the incident.
While everything seems murky in Haiti, one thing is crystal clear: if not fixed soon, the country will be in far worse condition imaginable in its history. Haiti needs help now.
Sources:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/15/world/haiti-earthquake-news-sunday/index.html
Image Credits: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
