Remembrance Day in Haiti 2024: Every year on January 12, Haiti observes Remembrance Day as a way to honor the people who perished in the earthquake that struck in January 2010. The 2010 earthquake, a natural disaster that destroyed the country, claimed about 300,000 lives, according to the Haitian government, while the exact number of fatalities is still unknown. One of the two official languages in Haiti, French, is utilized to celebrate the “Jour De Remembrance,” which honors all those who lost their lives in this terrible earthquake, including non-Haitians.
The History of Remembrance Day
Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispaniola, which frequently experiences devastating earthquakes. Later reports stated that earthquakes had destroyed several villages in Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic.
The 2010 earthquake, which struck on January 12, 2010, was arguably the most catastrophic in recent memory. This 7.0-magnitude earthquake, which lasted only 30 seconds, occurred at roughly 16:53 (21:53 UTC), 15.5 miles from Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti. The region, nearby towns, and other adjacent countries—including Cuba, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and the Dominican Republic—were all shaken by the impact. Not even a few hours after the catastrophic destruction that had already left Haiti in ruins, many high-magnitude aftershocks struck the country. The shocks destroyed 15% of the buildings in the nation.
Due to the absence of building codes in Haiti, over 15% of the buildings in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding towns collapsed, trapping and killing occupants and raising the death toll. Notable individuals among them were the opposition leader Michel “Micha” Gaillard, thirty members of the Fédération Haïtienne de Football, and numerous Haitians as well as tourists and air workers.
Days after the earthquake, people all throughout the world organized relief efforts, donations, and more in an instant to help those in need. Unfortunately, poorly executed operations doomed the idea because slow bureaucracy on the part of donor countries and poor management by relief organizations hampered a significant portion of the aid. Even a second earthquake, in 2021, would not break the spirit of the Haitian people, who are determined to build a greater future.
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Observing Remembrance Day: A Guide
Pay tribute to the departed
On this day, observe a minute of silence, offer prayers for the deceased, or remember them. Look up details on those who died on this day, and pay tribute to their memory by seeing if you can help with relief efforts.
Find out more about the catastrophe
Recognize the several variables that went into making the 2010 earthquake so damaging.
Offer your assistance to Haiti
Participate with local Haitian initiatives and groups or look for volunteer possibilities with aid organizations. Give of your time and energy to assist in the reconstruction of Haiti and the Haitian community.
5 Facts About The Earthquake Of 2010
Neighborly assistance
The Dominican Republic, which borders Haiti, was the first to send aid to the country after the earthquake struck; they sent emergency relief teams, opened hospitals and airports, and provided basic necessities.
An all-time high quantity of donations via mobile
Through text messaging alone, Americans were able to raise $7 million in just one day in response to the American Red Cross’s appeal for assistance.
The charity telethon
“Hope for Haiti Now A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief,” which was one of the most watched in history and earned $58 million in a single day, was designed to raise money for Haiti following the 2010 earthquake.
Quick responses
When relief workers and emergency personnel arrived in Haiti following the earthquake, they saw people gathering in groups to sing in the streets, and the people arranged into security forces and leaders to help others get through the mayhem.
Haiti and Canada’s relationship
Following the 2010 earthquake, Canada altered its immigration policies to permit a greater number of Haitian immigrants, providing many Haitians with an opportunity to flee the destruction.
The significance of Remembrance Day in Haiti, January 12
We are recognizing those who are resilient.
All Haitians came together to support one another during the crisis, and they are still striving for a restoration to normalcy. Our unique celebration makes sure that we never forget the story of these courageous warriors and that they remain in our minds.
We will never forget the lost lives.
All of the living things that died that day and the days that followed will always be in our minds. We remember the people who passed away as a result of the 2010 earthquake on Remembrance Day every year.
It guarantees that we too won’t forget Haiti.
In a nation where the scars from the terrible earthquake of 2010 are still visible, Remembrance Day serves to preserve the spirit of unity for the courageous residents of an area vulnerable to natural disasters.
REMEMBRANCE DAY DATES
Year | Date | Day |
---|---|---|
2024 | January 12 | Friday |
2025 | January 12 | Sunday |
2026 | January 12 | Monday |
2027 | January 12 | Tuesday |
2028 | January 12 | Wednesday |