Post-earthquake Haiti: the critical role for rehabilitation services following a humanitarian crisis.
The earthquake that occurred in Haiti on 12 January 2010 resulted in massive infrastructure damage, and created one of the largest single-day loss of life events in modern history. Despite the tragic mortality rates, many people with catastrophic injuries including spinal cord injuries and amputations survived due to swift emergency responses by local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The outcome however is that Haiti now has a considerable cohort of people who live with important disabilities. In this 'perspectives in rehabilitation' we share our experiences of working in post-earthquake Haiti, and highlight that this event has raised awareness of the critical importance of providing rehabilitation services during and after a humanitarian crisis of this magnitude.
Landry
Michel D
MD
Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, 160-500 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. mike.landry@utoronto.ca
O'Connell
Colleen
C
Tardif
Gaetan
G
Burns
Anthony
A
D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004190:Disasters; D055866:Earthquakes; D006205:Haiti; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D018635:Rescue Work; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation*