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Last updated 20 Aug 2025

Haiti earthquake 2010

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Introduction

The 2010 Haiti earthquake was a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 Mw earthquake that struck Haiti at 16:53 local time (21:53 UTC) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010. The initial earthquake was soon followed by two aftershocks of magnitudes 5.9 and 5.5.

More aftershocks occurred in the following days, including another one of magnitude 5.9 that struck on January 20 at Petit Goâve, a town some 35 miles (55 km) west of Port-au-Prince. Haiti had not been hit by an earthquake of such enormity since the 18th century, the closest in force being a 1984 shock of magnitude 6.9. A magnitude-8.0 earthquake had struck the Dominican Republic in 1946.

Death toll estimates range from 100,000 to about 160,000 to Haitian government figures from 220,000 to 316,000. The government of Haiti estimated that 250,000 residences and 30,000 commercial buildings had collapsed or were severely damaged.

Hazards
Earthquake
Country and region
Haiti

Knowledge base

Items: 23
Documents and publications
7 March 2012
International Disaster Response Laws (IDRL) in Haiti: a study on the legal framework for the facilitation and regulation of international disaster response in Haiti

This report examines Haiti’s legal framework for facilitating and regulating international disaster assistance in the light of the IDRL Guidelines and the experience with the international response to the 2010 earthquake. It sets out recommendations for

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Haiti: From Emergency to Sustainable Recovery
Documents and publications
Publications
15 February 2012
Haiti: From Emergency to Sustainable Recovery

This outlines the transition from emergency response to sustainable recovery in Haiti, detailing challenges faced post-earthquake, collaborative efforts, and various programs supporting long-term recovery and assistance.

International Organization for Migration (IOM)
Documents and publications
3 February 2012
Séisme en Haiti: bilan et regards sur deux ans d'action

This report presents the activities implemented by the French Red Cross in partnership with the Haitian Red Cross since the earthquake which struck the island 2 years ago. It includes disaster risk reduction and disaster preparedness as one of the three

French Red Cross
Documents and publications
9 January 2012
Children of Haiti: two years after

This document states that UNICEF is requesting over US$ 24 million in its 2012 Consolidated Appeal to address immediate humanitarian needs associated with prolonged displacement, the cholera outbreak, and preparedness for the next hurricane season and the

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Cover_ResearchGate
Documents and publications
Reports and analysis
Training
30 October 2011
Massive Damage Assessment Program and Repair and Reconstruction Strategy in the Aftermath of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake

This article highlights the massive assessment program and repair and reconstruction strategy in the aftermath of the 2010 Haiti Earthquake.

ResearchGate
Documents and publications
10 March 2011
Urban disasters – lessons from Haiti

Study of member agencies' responses to the earthquake in Port au Prince, Haiti, January 2010:

This report provides a context analysis and a commentary on the effectiveness of Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) agencies' response to the Haiti earthquake

Disaster Emergency Committee
Documents and publications
24 September 2010
Haiti earthquake reconstruction: knowledge notes from DRM Global Expert Team for the government of Haiti

This publication provides expert advice and global best practices on ten identified 'burning' post-disaster recovery and reconstruction issues, in a time-bound manner. It covers a number of key sectors including: building seismic safety assessment, environmental and social assessment, and helping women and children to recover and build resilient communities. It aims to support the Government of Haiti's decision-making on the recovery and reconstruction operations following the devastating Haiti Earthquake of January 2010.

World Bank, the
Haiti - government
Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, the (GFDRR)
Documents and publications
5 August 2010
Haiti - From sustaining lives to sustainable solutions: the challenge of sanitation

This publication tackles the long-term rebuilding of Haiti and specifically addresses the challenges in meeting the sanitation needs for the country in order to avoid the risk of a secondary disaster, in which the people who have survived the earthquake

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)
Documents and publications
8 June 2010
Futures in the balance: a way forward for Haiti's children

This publication discusses many of the critical issues that have the power to deliver lasting change in Haiti, including disaster risk reduction (DRR), among others such as child protection, education and opportunities for youth, food security and

World Vision International
Documents and publications
PDNA - Post Disaster Needs Assessments
25 May 2010
Anticipating the future: children and young people’s voices in Haiti’s Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA)

This document presents key findings from consultations with the children and youth undertook to hear their ideas and priorities for the country’s reconstruction as they are among the most vulnerable groups affected by the disaster.

Plan International (PI)

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