The strongest earthquake to hit the Caribbean country of Haiti happened 16:53:09 or 04:53:09 PM local time on January 12.  Registering at magnitude7.0, it is not surprising that numerous buildings including the UN office and the presidential palace in the Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince went down.  Initial reports say that hundreds could have died and thousands are left homeless.

Image Source: timesonline.co.uk

The International Red Cross though recently stated that as my as 3 million people were affected by the tremors and that as many as 500,000 deaths would be recorded.  The poorest country in the Western Hemisphere surely needs the help of other countries after such a tragedy.

Hundreds if not thousands of people are still down there waiting to be treated of their wounds.  With at least a hospital reported to have gone down, doctors and nurses are in a great fight to keep infection spreading.  They are spread so thinly just to make sure that they can treat as many people as possible.  Another problem which could rise in the very near future is the scarcity of medicine.  With the damage to buildings and infrastructure, transporting medication and people would be a problem too.

Late into the night after the earthquake, rescue units did what they could to help people trapped under collapsed buildings.  It has been reported that even civilians with flashlights are helping in the rescue mission.  With communications downed after the shattering magnitude 7.0 earthquake, rescue missions could not be easily organized but they are doing what they can.

Already ravished by a series of deadly hurricanes in 2008, Haiti is only starting to build anew until Haiti earthquake time happened.  This will really test the mettle of the Haitian people.  Other countries have already pledged support for the country by sending rescue units and promising monetary support.