Women cook their meal in a partially destroyed school used as a shelter in Jeremie
Hurricane Matthew is one of the strongest storms and most devastating events to hit Haiti since the earthquake of 2010. It completely destroyed the southern regions including my parent’s hometown Jeremie and caused over 800 deaths so far, according to this AlJazeera article. The Haitian government has estimated that at least 350,000 people need some kind of immediate assistance.
Historically, access to clean water was always an issue in Haiti. This storm left little clean water to use, homes completely destroyed, and the diaspora at a loss for words. I predict “health concerns” could be more devastating for the Haitian people if proper preventative measures are not taken early.
Three men pull a trunk stuck under a bridge after the passage of Hurricane Matthew in Chantal, Haiti.
Hurricanes are natural disasters that have unfortunately been on the rise as the years have gone on. With any natural disaster comes concerns for human health. Hurricane Matthew brought with it flood waters, the loss of power, little livable space left, and a breeding ground for mosquitoes. This in turn caused molds to grow, endotoxin levels to rise, little clean drinking water, spoiled food, West Nile virus, and Zika concerns, and many other causes for a person to be sick.
Flooding could also increase the transmission of waterborne cholera, which has killed thousands of people in Haiti since it was introduced at a U.N. peacekeeping camp following a 2010 earthquake — for which the U.N. has admitted it played a role.
A man cuts branches off fallen trees in a flooded area in Les Cayes.
Health Effects of Hurricane Matthew
The main health effects of Hurricane Mathew had to deal with the amount of water left behind in the southern part of Haiti. Outbreaks of Zika, West Nile, mold, and endotoxin levels rising could be the biggest concerns. With the flooding came all new types of bacteria from the open water, leaving Haiti, a country with already minimal resources with little to defend itself. Medical centers could also be destroyed or in utter disarray with inability to provide first aide care to people. The concern that people is going to get sick because of contaminated food or water should also weighed heavily on people’s minds and the Haiti Ministry of Health. All of the health concerns for Haiti will come from the amount of flood water because there was so much of it, that it is an optimal breeding ground for mosquitoes making nothing truly safe.
Residents collect water in Les Cayes.
Prevention
In order to prevent more disastrous health issues after Hurricane Matthew, a better disaster plan has to be in place. Unfortunately, knowing the lack of preparedness of the Haitian Government, a complete prevention of a disaster this magnitude is not possible, leaving them to heavily rely on the goodwill of international NGOs who are more experienced in this field. They could provide a better, faster clean up response which is the only way that the affected regions can prevent more health related issues that can take away more Haitian lives. Fast action, awareness, and knowledge of that disaster plan are the only things that people can do to protect themselves. Nothing can truly stop these types of storms, all one can do is know what to look out for and how to protect themselves as best as they can.
Destroyed houses are seen in a village after Hurricane Matthew passes Corail.
People walk next to destroyed houses after Hurricane Matthew passes Jeremie, Haiti.
People use a handmade ladder after the bridge has been destroyed by Hurricane Matthew in Chantal, Haiti.
Workers bury two bodies after Hurricane Matthew passes Jeremie, Haiti.
A flooded river is seen in Jeremie.