Devastating Haiti Earthquake Photos, Video Show Death, Injury, Hopelessness

UPDATED: 2:00 p.m. ET, Aug. 19 Originally published on Aug. 15 Rebuilding efforts have officially begun in Haiti as rescues and recoveries continue following last weekend’s massive 7.2 magnitude earthquake in the Caribbean nation. Photos and video coming from Haiti underscore the extent of damage and pain as the Caribbean nation was already reeling from a series of natural and political disasters. The death toll leaped to more than 2,100 people and Axios reported that Haitians were growing angry over a lack of aid. On top of that, the number of injured people grew to more than 12,000 and tens of thousands of people were left without homes, which were destroyed in the earthquake on Saturday. One local judge questioned the Haitian government’s role in the disaster following the earthquake during an interview with Reuters. “As a judge, I must not have a political opinion. But as a man, as a man concerned about the situation of my country, nothing is working,” Pierre Cenel, a judge in Les Cayes, said. “They didn’t do anything to prepare for this disaster.”

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Haiti’s Civil Protection Agency reported that nearly 2,000 people were killed from the earthquake and nearly 10,000 others were injured, according to NPR. But there is still hope as at least 16 people who were alive were pulled from the rubble of a United Nations building on Tuesday. By that same token, at least nine people who died were also pulled from that same rubble. Aside from rescue and recovery efforts, Haitian officials are also turning their attention to a growing homelessness problem because of the earthquake. Serge Chéry, a South Department government official, told the Haitian Times that at least 30,000 tents were needed to house those who have lost their homes. Chéry also stressed the need for more machinery and equipment to help dig survivors from out of the rubble. Complicating matters was the heavy rains that began falling from Tropical Storm Grace. As of Tuesday morning, more than 1,400 people were reported dead and at least 6,900 others sustained injuries from the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck two days earlier — exponentially more than the early estimate of 304 people. That number is expected to continue growing as rescue and recovery operations persist. Haitians were already experiencing instability from both earthquakes in 2010 and 2018 as well as last month’s assassination of Haiti’s president. https://twitter.com/yntch0/status/1426571695238811654?s=20 The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), which monitors seismic activity, designated the earthquake to be a “Red alert for shaking-related fatalities and economic losses” and predicted, “High casualties and extensive damage are probable and the disaster is likely widespread.” In an indication of what is likely coming in the future, USGS also noted that “Past red alerts have required a national or international response.” Wyclef Jean, one of Haiti’s most famous sons, was among the chorus of voices asking people to do their part and help his homeland recover from its most recent earthquake. “Today, once again, sad to report, Haiti’s hit with another earthquake,” Wyclef says in a video Instagram post as footage of the earthquake is shown. “I encourage everybody — everybody and everybody — please do your part so we can help the country.” https://twitter.com/PhillyD/status/1426637680473903107?s=20 Wyclef also addressed the role that he said climate change played in earthquakes happening. “As we move forward in the world of climate change, let us rethink on how we can protect our country, even if it means relocating the population to different parts of the island,” he added. https://www.instagram.com/p/CSkIrPulqHs/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link NewsOne has provided a list of Haitian charities and organizations accepting donations to help Haiti. It was not immediately clear what Saturday’s earthquake means for the tens of thousands of Haitians living in the U.S. under temporary protective status (TPS) — conditional asylum with an expiration date — following the 2010 earthquake. That status was renewed in May for another 18 months for up to 55,000 Haitians. Haitians living in the U.S. under TPS were previously facing deportations until Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas renewed their protections. Mayorkas notably told Haitians to “not come to the United States” following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse last month. That standing order could change after Saturday’s earthquake as more Haitians have been displaced. In the meantime, there is an immediate need for all levels of assistance in Haiti, as underscored by the below explicit photos showing a calamitous aftermath that will likely take years to fully recover from.

1.

Haitians load a truck with medical gear flown in from the United States at Antoine Simon airport after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 19, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

2.

The Church St Anne is seen completely destroyed by the earthquake in Chardonnieres, Haiti on August 18, 2021.

3.

A man carries a coffin on a street after an earthquake, in Les Cayes, Haiti, Aug. 17, 2021.

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Boys play cards in the lobby of the Marion Du Fanal National School in Chardonnières, a temporary shelter for people after the earthquake, August 18, 2021.

5.

A man sits on a bed at the “Communautaire de Référence” hospital in Port-Salut in Port-Salut, Haiti on August 18, 2021.

6.

People stand on the debris of a collapsed house after an earthquake, in Les Cayes, Haiti, Aug. 17, 2021.

7.

A medical worker reacts in front of a hospital after an earthquake, in Les Cayes, Haiti, on Aug. 17, 2021.

8.

A boy injured in the earthquake lies on a bed at the “Communautaire de Référence” hospital in Port-Salut in Port-Salut, Haiti on August 18, 2021.

9.

A man removes debris from a collapsed house after an earthquake, in Les Cayes, Haiti, on Aug. 17, 2021.

10.

A man stands on the debris of a collapsed house after an earthquake, in Les Cayes, Haiti, Aug. 17, 2021.

11.

A newborn baby is crying at the “Community Reference” hospital in Port-Salut, Haiti on August 18, 2021.

12.

A casualty is seen among the damage after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 18, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

13.

A man walks through the streets after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 18, 2021 in Marceline, Camp-Perrin, Haiti.

14.

Haitians begin the work of rebuilding after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the country on August 18, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

15.

An injured man is tended to after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 18, 2021 in Boiron Zone, Camp-Perrin, Haiti.

16.

A nearly empty street in the Martissant neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021.

17.

A pedestrian crosses a street littered with trash in the Martissant neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021.

18.

The Martissant neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021.

19.

A home damaged due to the earthquake in Saint-Louis-du-Sud, Haiti, on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021.

20.

A soldier stands over debris during rescue efforts after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti and tropical storm Grace moves over Jamaica on August 17, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

21.

Haitians observe during rescue efforts in search for survivors after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti and tropical storm moves over Jamaica on August 17, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

22.

Scene of life at the market in the town of Maniche, severely damaged in the quake, Haiti, on August 17, 2021.

23.

A bulldozer clears the rubble of a building that collapsed in the earthquake in Brefet, a neighborhood of Les Cayes, Haiti, on August 17, 2021.

24.

People watch the clearing of a building that collapsed during the earthquake in Brefet, a neighborhood in Les Cayes, Haiti, on August 17, 2021.

25.

A woman injured in the earthquake sits in a wheelchair in the courtyard of the Ofatma hospital in Les Cayes, Haiti on August 17, 2021.

26.

US Coast Guard loads two severely injured earthquake victims for helicopter transport from Ofatma Hospital in Les Cayes to one of the hospitals in Port-au-Prince on August 17, 2021.

27.

Doctors examin an earthquake victim at Ofatma Hospital in Les Cayes, Haiti, August 17, 2021.

28.

People look for whatever can be recovered in their flooded house as heavy rain brought by tropical storm Grace hits Haitians just after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 17, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

29.

A kid sits at school classroom bench next to mattresses set up to dry as heavy rain brought by tropical storm Grace hits Haitians just after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 17, 2021, in Les Cayes, Haiti.

30.

A woman carries a jerrycan on her head through a flooded area as heavy rain brought by tropical storm Grace hits Haitians just after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 17, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

31.

People create shelter after spending the night outside in the aftermath of the earthquake, facing the severe inclement weather of Tropical Storm Grace near Les Cayes, Haiti on August 17, 2021.

32.

People make repairs and create shelter, after spending the night outside in the aftermath of the earthquake, facing the severe inclement weather of Tropical Storm Grace near Les Cayes, Haiti on August 17, 2021.

33.

People make repairs and create shelter, after spending the night outside in the aftermath of the earthquake, facing the severe inclement weather of Tropical Storm Grace near Les Cayes, Haiti on August 17, 2021.

34.

People gather after spending the night outside in the aftermath of the earthquake, facing the severe inclement weather of Tropical Storm Grace near Les Cayes, Haiti on August 17, 2021.

35.

People make repairs and create shelter, after spending the night outside in the aftermath of the earthquake, facing the severe inclement weather of Tropical Storm Grace near Les Cayes, Haiti on August 17, 2021.

36.

People gather after spending the night outside in the aftermath of the earthquake, facing the severe inclement weather of Tropical Storm Grace near Les Cayes, Haiti on August 17, 2021.

37.

A woman stands near her destroyed home as a result of the earthquake on August 16, 2021 near the city of Camp Perrin, Haiti.

38.

A woman works on a shelter after being hit by Tropical Storm Grace at an improvised refugee camp at Parc Lande de Gabion stadium after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 17, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

39.

The severely damaged road to Camp-Perrin leading to Jeremie, is viewed after the earthquake near Camp-Perrin, Haiti on August 16, 2021.

40.

A sign for the Marceline district is viewed after the earthquake near Camp-Perrin, Haiti on August 16, 2021.

41.

People gather near bins of water after the earthquake in Camp-Perrin, Haiti on August 16, 2021.

42.

Residents collect water after an earthquake, in Les Cayes, Haiti, on Aug. 16, 2021.

43.

A child plays with a deserted tire in front of a collapsed house after an earthquake, in Les Cayes, Haiti, on Aug. 16, 2021.

44.

A woman cries as Tropical Storm Grace hits a refugee camp at a football field called Parc Lande de Gabion after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 16, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

45.

People leave as Tropical Storm Grace hits a refugee camp at a football field called Parc Lande de Gabion after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 16, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

46.

A woman argues with a military guard as Haitians stand in line to receive a bag of food as part of the humanitarian aid provided by FAES (Fund for Economic and Social Assistance) after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 16, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

47.

Patients are tended to outside Les Cayes General Hospital after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

48.

Haitians rest outdoors after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

49.

A woman cries as Tropical Storm Grace hits a refugee camp at a football field called Parc Lande de Gabion after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 16, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

50.

Haitians mill about outdoors after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

51.

A boy is tended to outside Les Cayes General Hospital after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

52.

An injured man is carried to a health center after the earthquake in Camp-Perrin, Haiti on August 16, 2021.

53.

Haitians begin the work of recovering what materials they can after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

54.

A man recovers what he can after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

55.

A boy is tended to outside Les Cayes General Hospital after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

56.

The work of recovering what materials can begins after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

57.

Image taken with a mobile device shows a damaged building after the earthquake in Les Cayes, Haiti, on Aug. 15, 2021.

58.

Haitians look over a casualty in the 7.2-magnitude earthquake on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

59.

A boy injured sits outside Les Cayes General Hospital after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

60.

Haitians look over a casualty in the 7.2-magnitude earthquake on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

61.

A Haitian rides through water-logged streets after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

62.

A building is shown destroyed by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake on August 15, 2021 in Les Cayes, Haiti.

63.

An elder person sits on the street, worried damaged structures may collapse, in the area of Les Cayes on August 15, 2021, after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the southwest peninsula of the country.

64.

Large fissures scar the roads in the area of Les Cayes on August 15, 2021, after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the southwest peninsula of the country.

65.

A destroyed building is seen in Les Cayes on August 15, 2021, after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the southwest peninsula of the country.

66.

Injured patients rest at a hospital in Les Cayes on August 15, 2021, after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the southwest peninsula of the country.

67.

An injured woman is treated at a hospital in Les Cayes on August 15, 2021, after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the southwest peninsula of the country.

68.

Residents survey a damaged building following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Les Cayes, Haiti, on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021.

69.

Residents survey a damaged building following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Les Cayes, Haiti, on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021.

70.

The destroyed roof is seen in the the “Sacré coeur des Cayes” church in Les Cayes on August 15, 2021, after a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck the southwest peninsula of the country.

71.

An injured man lies on a stretcher after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the country on August 14, 2021, in Jeremie, Haiti.

72.

A photo shows a damaged car in the rubble after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the country on August 14, 2021, in Jeremie, Haiti.

73.

People watch destroyed houses after an earthquake struck on August 14, 2021 in Jeremie, South West Haiti.

74.

People watch destroyed houses after an earthquake struck on August 14, 2021 in Jeremie, South West Haiti

75.

People watch destroyed houses after an earthquake struck on August 14, 2021 in Jeremie, South West Haiti.

76.

A photo shows damaged buildings as people inspect after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the country on August 14, 2021, in Jeremie, Haiti.

77.

 Injured people are treated in a field hospital after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the country on August 14, 2021, in Jeremie, Haiti.

78.

An earthquake victim lies on a stretcher at the Cayes General Hospital on August 14, 2021 in Les Cayes, southwest Haiti.

79.

Earthquake victims lie on the ground at the Cayes General Hospital on August 14, 2021 in Les Cayes, southwest Haiti.

80.

An earthquake victim lies on a stretcher at the Cayes General Hospital on August 14, 2021 in Les Cayes, southwest Haiti.

81.

The “Petit Pas” hotel is seen damaged by the earthquake on August 14, 2021 in Les Cayes, southwest Haiti.

82.

The “Petit Pas” hotel is seen damaged by the earthquake on August 14, 2021 in Les Cayes, southwest Haiti.

83.

People walk by a collapsed house hit by the earthquake on August 14, 2021 in Les Cayes, southwest Haiti.

84.

The parish where the sisters of Our Lady Fatima of the Cayes reside, is seen collapsed after the earthquake hit on August 14, 2021 in Les Cayes, southwest Haiti.

85.

People search through the rubble of what used to be the Manguier Hotel after the earthquake hit on August 14, 2021 in Les Cayes, southwest Haiti.