Haitians confronting a new threat — deadly spring rains
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — Survivors of Haiti's catastrophic earthquake have had one saving grace: There's been no significant rain since the disaster. But that won't last.
The rainy season in Haiti is deadly even in a good year. Now, in a devastated capital city, the early spring rains threaten to cause landslides and bring about health problems in the makeshift camps where more than 500,000 people are living.
Rain is already falling in some parts of the country, but Haiti's shattered capital, where most of the quake damage occurred, has been spared so far — a rarity for this time of year, when afternoon showers are common. Steady rains could come as soon as the end of the month, and hurricane season begins in June.
Workers are racing to move victims outside of flood plains and into tents. They are also trying to clear tons of debris from ravines, canals and riverbeds, so rain does not turn the survivors' encampments into breeding grounds for disease.
"There will be health concerns," said engineer Mario Nicoleau of the U.S. Agency for International Development's office in Haiti. "The risks will be enormous, and it is difficult to contemplate the unforeseen consequences."
Haiti's government said it needs more money or tents if people are to be moved.
"We are going to have a big problem when the rainy season starts," said Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aime. "We don't have $60 million to buy 100,000 tents."
Haitians are fearful. Jeanne Marceus, 40, is camped out with hundreds of others under plastic tarps just feet from the Bois de Chene River. On one side, dozens of houses lie flattened from the quake. On the other, a dozen dwellings that slid off the mountain during 2008 rains are piled in a mound.
"Every day we look at the sky for clouds," she said. "My house is gone, and now I'm wondering whether I will be swallowed by the river."
Hurricanes, tropical storms and floods are a constant threat in Haiti.
In 2004, some 3,000 people died in the northern city of Gonaives after Tropical Storm Jeanne. Following the storm, more than $70 million in aid was collected, but little of that was used for flood control. Gonaives flooded again in 2008, killing nearly 800 more.
Before the earthquake, aid groups were already trying to mitigate risks to flood-prone areas: building walls to stabilize hills, installing drainage systems and working with farmers to plant crops with root systems that help hold water. Much of that work was suspended after the quake, when aid groups shifted into emergency mode to help survivors.
Comments
- Workers urged to take settlement 1:01 p.m.
- Disparities in care for Hispanics 12:59 p.m.
- Don't let your age age you 12:57 p.m.
- Terror suspect worked at nuke sites 12:57 p.m.
- It's Daylight Grousing Time 12:56 p.m.
- Nimoy say 'Trek' snub is illogical 12:54 p.m.
- Ceder Hills beautification committee 12:53 p.m.
- 'American Idol' pares down to 12 12:40 p.m.
- Reid's family injured in wreck 12:35 p.m.
- Christians fire back at Beck 12:34 p.m.
- Garn admits to incident with teen
- Fredette leads Y. to semifinals
- Aggie great Merlin Olsen dies at 69
- Jimmer Fredette nets 45
- Matthews always confident of NBA
- Bride-to-be killed on eve of wedding
- Rebels run right past Utes
- Gay teen sues to force school prom
- 2 killed, 2 injured in TRAX accident
- Maher says Garn lied about contact
- Garn admits to incident with teen
232 - Hobson edges Fredette for POY
206 - Are Utah charter schools a success?
187 - Health care a human wish, not right
178 - Gay teen sues to force school prom
161 - ACLU sues over canceled prom
142 - Student argues with officers over gun
134 - Services for Marie Osmond's son
133 - Letters: Pushing atheist views
128 - Y. 1st on U.S. News most popular
116
I was having a rough day last week due to some pregnancy concerns, and I...
How much wrong and bad happens when we judge people only by the way they...
the comments by Wimmer show a complete disregard for sensitivity to the...
Politicians make me SICK. The IRS now should go after this woman, who...
Listening to lengthy excerpts of various pseudo-preachers espousing "social...
No. It wouldn't. How much more simple can you get? This post is especially...
This upright gentleman is one of the chief opponents of the legislative...
If I understand the Des News's rationale, they didn't report the story...
Yes - we want to restore a democratic balance to the Universe. We want more...
yes, I have coached a lot of church ball and can tell you that when players...
Freedom of Speech does not extend to insighting a riot or advocating or...
Forgive him He's paid enough. Although he should probably leave office, she...





You can be the first to comment on this story.