In one week I will be getting on a plane (after a night shift, but lets forget about that) for Haiti. Part deux.
I am excited, anxious, eager to get back and help with relocation efforts. I am humbled by the efforts and donations put in by all my friends and family. In all my sadness and anger towards the ways our culture spends money and wastes goods and resources, I find myself grateful to have such honest, good, and generous people in my life. I wonder if we all extended (imparted?) some of this towards a few strangers- would the world change? Could we effect some radical shift in spending habits, conservation, and worldview? Something to ponder, anyways.
In light of this trip I decided to share some statistics on Haiti. It helps to see the big picture. You may or may not already be aware:
Earthquake: January 12, 2010. Magnitude: 7.0.
In light of this trip I decided to share some statistics on Haiti. It helps to see the big picture. You may or may not already be aware:
Earthquake: January 12, 2010. Magnitude: 7.0.
Number of aftershocks by January 24: 52 (measuring 4.5 or greater)
Estimated 250,000 to 300,000 killed.
Estimated 1 million wounded.
Estimated 2 million homeless.
Number of displaced peoples' camps: 300 to 500
Estimated 250,000 to 300,000 killed.
Estimated 1 million wounded.
Estimated 2 million homeless.
Number of displaced peoples' camps: 300 to 500
Haiti is the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Over 80% of the population live under the poverty line (less than $2 per day), and 54% live in abject poverty (less than $1 per day). Some pre-earthquake statistics:
Population of Haiti (2008): 9,876,000
Population port au prince (estimated): 2.5 to 3 million
Population port au prince (estimated): 2.5 to 3 million
Gross National Income per capita: $660 (USD)...thats right.
Population under 5: 1252,000
Population under 18: 4294,000
Average age: 20
Life expectancy at birth (2008): 61
Life expectancy at birth (2008): 61
Adult literacy rate (2003-2008): 62
Primary school attendance (2003-2008): 50%
Lifetime risk of maternal death (2005): 1 in 44
Under-5 mortality rate (2008): 72 per 1,000
Percentage of children under 5 who are underweight: 22
Percentage of children under 5 who have severe and moderate stunting: 29
Estimated number of orphans (2007): 380,000
Percent of households consuming iodized salt: 3
Estimated number of people living with HIV (2007): 120,000
Good on you Guin, what a blessing you are to those of us who can't get there, and would not know what to do if we could. You are a great blessing to our family.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, the number that got me the most was the percentage of stunted children. Maybe it has something to do with having a toddler. But the number is so depressing. And worse yet, Haiti is actually doing "relatively" well compared to many other countries in the world:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.unicef.org/pon00/leaguetos1.htm
Although, I imagine that in a couple of years the Haitian statistic will worsen.