Nation & World

Helping Haiti

6 min read

The world mobilized to help Haiti after that country suffered the deadliest earthquake in this hemisphere in over a century on Jan. 12, 2010. Faculty, staff, and other members of the Harvard community, including affiliates of Partners In Health and the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, played a pivotal role in the worldwide effort to provide aid.

After the devastating 7.0 earthquake on Jan. 12, 2010 in Haiti, Harvard faculty and staff, including from the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, the Medical School, and the School of Public Health, responded to the disaster. The Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince was destroyed in many places, as seen from this aerial shot. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Michael VanRooyen (right) of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative tours the disaster area in a helicopter. VanRooyen spent the first day meeting political entities, including the president of Haiti and the vice president of the Dominican Republic. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
A closer aerial look at the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, which was destroyed in many places. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Outside the National Palace in downtown Port-au-Prince, the Haitian flag flies in front of the completely destroyed building. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Downtown Port-au-Prince is a wasteland of rubble and buildings waiting to be torn down. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
A young girl bathes at a water truck outside the National Palace in downtown Port-au-Prince. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Salvaging anything usable in downtown Port-au-Prince has become a full time job for many. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in downtown Port-au-Prince suffered complete destruction during the quake. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Many salvage whatever they can in the wasteland of downtown Port-au-Prince. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
A man walks by graffiti scrawled upon the wall of a destroyed building. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Partners In Health affiliate Louise Ivers (left) talks to two Haitian men about conditions in a displaced persons camp. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Employees and volunteers from Partners In Health distribute medicine at a mobile health clinic within a camp for internally displaced persons that holds about 45,000 people. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Natsha Archer (right), volunteer coordinator for Partners In Health and resident in global health at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, talks with Louse Ivers, a Harvard-affiliated doctor, about staffing issues at the University Hospital in Port-au-Prince. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
The night shift at the hospital is mostly covered by foreign nationals who have volunteered their services. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Sharam Aarabi, a student at the Harvard School of Public Health, volunteers during the night shift. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Sharam Aarabi (center), a student at the Harvard School of Public Health, and Jason Smithers (right) from Children’s Hospital Boston are two of many helping out. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Volunteers work the night shift. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Alejandro Baez (left), a former student at the Harvard School of Public Health, and Michael VanRooyen of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative exit a helicopter for a meeting with the vice president of the Dominican Republic. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
A rehabilitation hospital in Fond Parisien, Haiti, set up by staff members of the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Jennifer Chan (from left), Christian Theodosis, Michael VanRooyen, and Hilarie Cranmer talk at the field hospital in Fond Parisen, Haiti. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
A young girl in the triage tent at the rehabilitation hospital in Fond Parisien, Haiti. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Children play outside the triage tent at the rehabilitation hospital in Fond Parisien, Haiti. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
The triage tent at the rehabilitation hospital in Fond Parisien, Haiti. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
The rehabilitation hospital in Fond Parisien, Haiti. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
A staff meeting run by Hilarie Cranmer (far right) at the rehabilitation hospital in Fond Parisien. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
A staff meeting run by Hilarie Cranmer (far right) at the rehabilitation hospital in Fond Parisien. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
At Fond Parisien, Haiti, Michael VanRooyen (from left), Hilarie Cranmer, Jennifer Chan, Christian Theodosis, and Emilie discuss the needs of the camp and how to get funding for their relief work. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Hilarie Cranmer from Harvard Humanitarian Initiative listens to the discussion. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Nighttime at the rehabilitation hospital in Fond Parisien, Haiti. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
A young girl with a broken leg at the rehabilitation hospital in Fond Parisien, Haiti, plays with a doll that was given to her. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
An older woman with leg injuries rests inside a tent. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Sunday church service on the grounds of the field hospital. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
A woman prays during Sunday church service on the grounds of the field hospital. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Staff and volunteers, as well as patients, attend the Sunday church service on the grounds of the field hospital. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Richard Cook of the University of Chicago works with Yyolson Eliassaint, a young boy suffering from malnutrition due to the loss of his mother and the inability to find food in the capital. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Doctors check on a patient with a crushed leg in the triage tent. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Late afternoon sun sets on the field hospital. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
A young boy with a crushed left leg hides behind a tent and smiles. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
Valdena Pierre, 5 years old, who had her right foot amputated, smiles for the camera as she waits for a physical therapy volunteer to visit with her and teach her how to use crutches. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer
A man who had his left leg amputated makes his way through the camp. Justin Ide/Harvard Staff Photographer