Why do natural disasters occur so often in Haiti?

(Baonghean.vn) - Haiti is a country that often has to endure the wrath of nature. Six years after suffering a historic earthquake, Haiti once again suffered from superstorm Matthew, which killed nearly 900 people, destroyed many cities, and submerged thousands of houses...

Haiti's Cayes region is devastated after Hurricane Matthey swept through. Photo: AP.

In September 2008 alone, hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike swept through Haiti, leaving 1,100 people dead or missing. Of these, Hurricane Hanna killed at least 500 people. According to weather forecaster Pascal Scaviner, September is always considered the peak hurricane season in the Caribbean, with the storms tapering off in October. The problem with Haiti is that the island lies right in the path of the hurricanes. Statistical calculations show that a portion of the hurricanes that originate near the Blue Cape area and move toward the Gulf of Mexico pass through Haiti.

Not only is Haiti in the path of hurricanes, it also sits on a fragile geological plate, making it vulnerable to earthquakes. A typical example is the devastating 2010 earthquake that killed 300,000 people and injured another 300,000.

Haiti sits at the intersection of the Northern and Caribbean tectonic plates, which move a few centimeters to the north or east each year, Scaviner explains. This could put the country at risk of an earthquake in the next five to 10 years. Even UNICEF lists Haiti as the country with the highest risk of natural disasters in the world.

In addition, Haiti is the poorest country in the world. According to UNICEF, 78% of Haitians live below the poverty line and 56% live in extreme poverty. It is also the most densely populated country in the region (353 people per square kilometer). Obviously, Haitians are living in temporary housing, with very little infrastructure to prepare for and cope with natural disasters.

Deforestation, which covers 98% of the country, has also contributed to the problem in Haiti. During storms and floods, because there are no forests to hold water, the rain and wind sweep away everything in their path. Finally, another vicious cycle begins in Haiti.

Chu Thanh

(According to 20Minutes)