Haiti Earthquake

An earthquake of 7.0 magnitude strikes on Tuesday 12 January, killing 150,000. Port-au-Prince is flattened. Millions are left homeless and without food, water or sanitation.

The main harbor in the capital is devastated. Huge challenges in getting aid to survivors.

Tens of thousands of people flee the city to the surrounding areas. Many wounded evacuated to the Dominican Republic.

People search through the rubble to find loved ones. These men are hoping to find the remains of 20 people they believe are buried inside.

The stench of decomposing bodies is overwhelming.

Anna Zizi is pulled alive from the rubble one week after the earthquake. Many of the rescuers are in tears as they pull the woman free.

Aid starts to arrive from around the world. Lutherans coordinate the response of churches through ACT Alliance, a global organisation of churches of different denominations.

Temporary shelters are set up to house the homeless. This survivor constructs a temporary shelter in an already crowded soccer stadium in Petionville, where the Lutheran team is working.

Families may have lost their homes but they haven’t lost their identities: they have named the narrow passages between their shelters with street names.

The long process of removing the rubble and rebuilding begins.

In the midst of trying to rebuild their lives, funerals are held, and the grief is overwhelming.

Commercial activity is slowly recovering, as seen by an increasing number of vendors on the streets of Port-au-Prince.

Government services are also slowly returning. This woman cleans a street in the capital.

Emergency workers from the Lutheran team carry a water bladder into the stadium full of temporary shelters in Petionville.

People line up for the water delivered by the Lutheran team.

Amidst the devastation, kids continue to be kids…

…and the strength and determination of the people shines through.

To support our Lutheran action:

1300 763 407www.alws.org.au