A “borderless response”: The Haitian catastrophe of January 12, 2010

Abstract

Aim: On January 12, 2010, Haiti experienced a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook the country to its core and toppled its fragile foundation. This paper examines the international response within the framework of geopolitical alignments.

Methods: Historical methodology examined primary sources of news stories, voices on the ground, and international relief agency reports, with secondary sources on disaster nursing and humanitarianism.

Results: The emergent relief that followed the powerful disaster of January 2010 proved to be both beneficial and harmful to the people needing assistance. While donations and help came from all over the world, United Nations troops’ unsanitary practices contributed to a cholera outbreak.

Conclusions: Disasters provide opportunities not only for humanitarian aid but also for countries to broaden their political reach beyond their own borders. Disasters make the balancing acts for power and influence among nations even more challenging.