Haiti Earthquake Caused Over US$1 Billion in Damage

Haiti would need an estimated US$1.2 billion to deal with the initial damage caused by the August 14 earthquake, according to an initial impact assessment report discussed Monday during a technical steering committee meeting chaired by Prime Minister Ariel Henry.

Senior government ministers, as well as officials from the United Nations, the European Union, and the World Bank, were present at the meeting.

Henry also mentioned the availability of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) which is at the forefront, alongside other national and international stakeholders, in the planning of post-earthquake rehabilitation.

“We have the firm will to orient reconstruction on the path of sustainable development,” he said, urging all local and international actors to work diligently to equip the government and its partners with appropriate tools to properly define their interventions for the benefit of earthquake victims.

The conference was part of the Southern Peninsula's evaluation of damage, losses, and post-earthquake needs in 2021 (PDNA-2021 / Post Disaster Needs Assessment).

Maureen Bermingham, the United Nations Deputy Resident Coordinator in Haiti, stated that she regarded this exercise as a chance not just for physical restoration of the nation, but also for social reconstruction.

Msellati Laurent, World Bank Resident Representative in Haiti, underlined the World Bank's willingness to align with the suggestions that would be made by the UN partners, as well as the European Union and the IDB, in his remarks.

He stated that the findings of the initial satellite impact assessment revealed that the damage caused by the earthquake would necessitate a payment of US$1.12 billion.

The technical steering committee has six weeks to finish the preliminary version of the PDNA, create the physical and economic rebuilding plan for the southern peninsula, and organize a donor meeting to secure money to support the plan.

“It is critical that each player keep in mind the objectives that we have set for ourselves, as well as the six-week timeframe to complete the entire process and begin to give long term solutions to this catastrophe with serenity and speed,” Prime Minister Henry stated.