10 ans après le séisme, des Haïtiens se souviennent

Summary

On January 12, 2010, at 16h53, a powerful earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, Haiti, causing widespread devastation. The 7.0 magnitude quake resulted in the collapse of 300,000 buildings, leaving over 230,000 dead and 300,000 injured. Amidst the chaos, stories of survival and loss emerge, such as that of Daniel, a 23-year-old accountant paralyzed by the collapse of his school, and Carole, who desperately tried to save her cousin. The disaster left over a million Haitians homeless, highlighting the immense human and infrastructural toll of this unimaginable catastrophe.

Takeaways

• 🗓️ The event described in the script occurred on January 12th at 16:53.
• 🏫 The script mentions a school where a cloud of dust emerged, indicating a catastrophic event.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Georges Noël had just dropped off his wife and children at the airport before the disaster.
• 🚗 Joubert Mon Désir was going to pick up his children from school amidst the chaos.
• 🏥 The earthquake caused widespread destruction, with hospitals being among the buildings that collapsed.
• 🔍 Martin Fidèle, a law student, was trapped when the school building collapsed on him, resulting in paralysis.
• 💔 There was no medication available to alleviate his condition, highlighting the dire situation.
• 🛫 Carole, Daniel's cousin from Montreal, flew to Haiti to help, bringing much-needed medication.
• 🏥 The script describes makeshift medical facilities, with operations being performed in the open air.
• 👦 Gaël, a 13-year-old, had to find refuge with his cousins and was tasked with taking care of the younger children.
• 💔 The disaster resulted in the loss of over 230,000 lives, 300,000 injuries, and left over a million Haitians homeless.

Q & A

What significant event occurred on January 12th?

A powerful earthquake struck on January 12th, causing massive destruction in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

What time did the earthquake occur?

The earthquake occurred at 16h53 (4:53 PM).

What was the situation at the school when the earthquake hit?

The school was enveloped in a cloud of dust, and students were in the gymnasium, which was later described as surreal and chaotic.

What was Martin Fidèle's profession before the earthquake?

Martin Fidèle was studying law at the University of Port-au-Prince.

How did the earthquake affect the buildings in the city?

Approximately 300,000 buildings collapsed as a result of the earthquake.

What was the condition of Daniel, a 23-year-old accountant, after the earthquake?

Daniel suffered a broken neck and became paralyzed, with no medication available to alleviate his condition.

Who came to Daniel's aid and what did they do?

Carole, Daniel's cousin from Montreal, flew to Haiti to help him by bringing medications and eventually evacuating him to a hospital in Florida.

What was the state of the hospitals after the earthquake?

All hospitals in the capital were in ruins, with operations being performed in the streets and courtyards without proper medical facilities.

How did the earthquake impact the lives of Haitians, according to the script?

Over 250,000 people lost their lives, 300,000 were injured, and more than a million Haitians were left homeless.

What was the emotional impact of the earthquake on the survivors, as described in the script?

The survivors were traumatized, with memories of the event continuing to cause emotional pain and difficulty in moving forward.

What was the initial response to the disaster in terms of medical care?

The initial response was makeshift, with medical care provided in the open air, using rudimentary equipment and without proper anesthesia.