Without warning, Mother Earth convulsed, leaving devastation and destruction in her wake. The Jan. 12 earthquake that struck Haiti affected three million people. An estimated 230,000 people died, 300,000 were hurt and one million lost their homes. The quake, a magnitude 7, hit about 16 miles west of Haiti's capital, Port-au-Prince. At least 52 aftershocks measuring 4.5 or greater had hit by Jan. 24.
The numbers tell one story, but two UNCG alumnae working in Port-au-Prince when the quake hit paint a more vivid, very human picture. Leigh Carter MA '90 is executive director for Fonkoze USA; Sophie Langueny MPA '92 is chief of party for the International Foundation for Electoral Systems. Both women shared their thoughts on the life-changing catastrophe and what it means for Haiti's future.
Photo above: Leigh Carter after the quake.
Aftermath
Dr. Steve Kroll-Smith has spent the last five years studying the repercussions of another natural disaster — Hurricane Katrina.
