Haiti earthquake

On 12 January 2010 an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck near the capital of Haiti, Port au Prince.

The resulting destruction was devastating:

• More than 220,000 people were killed and 300,000 were injured
• 1.5 million people lost their homes
• the total value of damage and losses was estimated at more than 120% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009.

• Funds were spent strategically over several years, with the overall goal to support the reconstruction of Haiti and demonstrably ‘build back better.’
• We supported the most vulnerable households affected, working through local partners on food security, economic recovery, psychological and social support, emergency shelter and health.
• In total, we reached 185,484 through the emergency response.
• We later worked to make communities more resilient to future hazards.
• Over time, the humanitarian work merged with our long-term programme work in Haiti.