GEO Haiti 2010

More documents

Recommendations

Info

GEO HAITI • 2010 136 Caused by poverty, overpopulation and poor land management, the territory is undeniably used in an arbitrary and extreme manner (MICT-DPC, 2001). In urban areas, for example, the smallest plot of land, no matter its configuration, is occupied and used without the least concern for regulations (DPC, 2005). As previously mentioned, although building codes exist in Haiti, there is no compliance due to the weakness of the relevant authorities. 9.2.3 The Poverty Factor - A Risk Amplifier In a large part, the major risk seems to be rooted in the great social vulnerability. We certainly cannot eliminate all the unpredictable elements in risk-management however when evacuation procedures, preventative measures and the population’s capacity to cope and face disasters are deficient, impacts then become enormous and long-lasting. Haiti is far behind its closest neighbours in terms of the consequences of these events on the population. The poorest communities, those who have the least resources and who live in the most hazardous areas such as hills, coasts and riverbanks, are clearly the most vulnerable and most affected. The table below presents a partial comparative assessment of hazards as well as vulnerability to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. Table 29: Partial Assessment of Hazards and Vulnerability to Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, 2008 Gustav Ike Date, duration and place of formation August 25 - Sept 02, 2008 16.3 N -17.0 W Sept 01-14, 2008 17.60 N - 39.50 W Trajectory South of the Greater Antilles and Gulf of Mexico North of the Lesser Antilles, Cuba and Gulf of Mexico Minimum pressure recorded and date 955 hPa on 30/08/2008 at 12:00 GMT 935 hPa on 04/09/2008 at 9:00 GMT Maximum wind speed (at landfall) 225 km/h on 30/08/2008 in Cuba 193 km/h on 08/09/2008 approaching Cuba Types of cyclone and phase Tropical storm then Category 3 hurricane Category 4 hurricane Cyclone diameter 370 km 800 km Casualties 8 people dead in the Dominican Republic, 66 in Haiti, 11 in Jamaica and 7 in Louisiana: 92 in total. 66 killed in Haiti, 4 in Cuba, 52 in the United States: 122 in total Warning and evacuation procedures United States - yes, Cuba - yes, Haiti - few Sources: http://echogeo.revues.org et http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/2008atlan.shtml (consulter le 08/04/09) United States - yes, Cuba - yes, Haiti – few 9.3 Human-Caused Disasters It is difficult to control natural hazards. It is however, possible to protect ourselves from them. In the case of Haiti, mitigating the population’s vulnerability to natural hazards seems to be a secondary issue even if these are becoming more perilous (Goldenberg, Stanley B. et al. 2001). As such, when hazards turn into reality, the term “natural disaster” is no longer appropriate. Today, there is no doubt as to the human origin of climate change. For many years and even centuries, Haiti has experienced major natural disasters, which became more pronounced between 1900 and
State of the Environment Report 2010 2004. During that period, the country recorded the 50 greatest disasters of its history, suffering 17 hurricanes, 26 major floods and 7 droughts. The Southern Region is the most vulnerable to hurricanes, with a frequency of 59% for the South Province, 44% for Grand’Anse and 37% for the Southeast Province. At 30%, the West Province’s hurricane frequency is almost half that of the Southern Province (USAID, 2007 in CCI 2004). 137 Figure 84: Hurricane Frequency by Province in Haiti (1954-2001) 70% 60% Frequency (%) 50% 40% 30% 20% 10% 0% South North Northeast Northwest Grande-Anse Center Department Southeast West Artibonite Source: USAID, 2007 Contrary to its history of hurricanes, the West Province’s history of floods over a 40-year period shows that it is the most vulnerable to this hazard, experiencing 36% of all floods occurring from 1968 to 1997. Other provinces were also affected, namely Artibonite, South, Northwest and North with a frequency of about 10% (Figure 85). Figure 85: Flood Frequency by Province (1968 - 1997) 40% 35% 30% Frequency (%) 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% South North Northeast Northwest Grande-Anse Center Department Southeast West Artibonite Source: USAID, 2007 These floods have caused important losses, in human lives as well as material. The following table gives a balance sheet of these floods with a summary of damages suffered.
Page 1 and 2:
GEO HAITI 2010 State of the Environ
Page 3 and 4:
UNEP MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT GE
Page 5 and 6:
State of the Environment Report 201
Page 7 and 8:
Page 9 and 10:
Page 11 and 12:
Page 13 and 14:
Page 15 and 16:
Page 17 and 18:
Page 19 and 20:
Page 21 and 22:
Page 23 and 24:
Page 25 and 26:
Page 27 and 28:
Page 29 and 30:
Page 31 and 32:
Page 33 and 34:
Page 35 and 36:
Page 37 and 38:
Page 39 and 40:
Page 41 and 42:
Page 43 and 44:
Page 45 and 46:
Page 47 and 48:
Page 49 and 50:
Page 51 and 52:
Page 53 and 54:
Page 55 and 56:
Page 57 and 58:
Page 59 and 60:
Page 61 and 62:
Page 63 and 64:
Page 65 and 66:
Page 67 and 68:
Page 69 and 70:
Page 71 and 72:
Page 73 and 74:
Page 75 and 76:
Page 77 and 78:
Page 79 and 80:
Page 81 and 82:
Page 83 and 84:
Page 85 and 86: State of the Environment Report 201
Page 135: State of the Environment Report 201
Page 187 and 188:
show all

GEO Haiti 2010

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?