The Impact on Port-au-Prince
Haiti consists of not only country-side, cities where most of the people and buildings were effected by the quake. Port-au-Prince, a city of more than 2 million people, has been effected the most drastically, destroying government buildings, homes, and shops that allowed for jobs and security. One of the most famous buildings, the Presidential Palace, collapsed, symbolizing the governments inability to become stable. Within in the city, not only were government buildings destroyed, but twelve of the thirteen ministries have become piles of stone. Not one section of the city has been left untouched by the earthquake.
Haiti consists of not only country-side, cities where most of the people and buildings were effected by the quake. Port-au-Prince, a city of more than 2 million people, has been effected the most drastically, destroying government buildings, homes, and shops that allowed for jobs and security. One of the most famous buildings, the Presidential Palace, collapsed, symbolizing the governments inability to become stable. Within in the city, not only were government buildings destroyed, but twelve of the thirteen ministries have become piles of stone. Not one section of the city has been left untouched by the earthquake.
The Impact on Those Less Fortunate
The country-side has not been affected as much because there are not as many high buildings that are able to collapse onto the homes. In the country-side, the homes are simple and contain only the resources needed to live, even though it is not much. Although the cities have suffered more, the country-side became an open field for sex-trafficking and forced labor. Children and women have been swept away from their families to be brought into the sex-trafficking business. Those who are left without family are more vulnerable to being taken. After being taken, many people were forced to work and after being working so hard they were left to die. One can physically see the destruction of the city, but the corruption of the country-side is still secretly taking place.
The country-side has not been affected as much because there are not as many high buildings that are able to collapse onto the homes. In the country-side, the homes are simple and contain only the resources needed to live, even though it is not much. Although the cities have suffered more, the country-side became an open field for sex-trafficking and forced labor. Children and women have been swept away from their families to be brought into the sex-trafficking business. Those who are left without family are more vulnerable to being taken. After being taken, many people were forced to work and after being working so hard they were left to die. One can physically see the destruction of the city, but the corruption of the country-side is still secretly taking place.
The Impact Over All
Haiti was already in a dire state of poverty, but the earthquake worsened the poverty and corruption of the country. Haiti has not been able to provide doctors and safety for all, leaving many people stuck to fend for themselves. Unfortunately, the poor are more affected than the wealthy due to the fact that they are left with absolutely nothing: possibly no family, no food, no water, no shelter. They have no safety net to rely on. The lack of protection opened the country up to sex-trafficking and abduction of children and women. The government, unable to restructure itself, symbolizes the only wealth and power of Haiti. Since the wealthy and powerful buildings have fallen, so have the people, creating a sunken image of the country. Haiti suffered through an unimaginable event, but they are reforming themselves daily and have joined with other countries in hopes of becoming united and whole.