PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – Haitians marked the 15th anniversary of a tragedy on Sunday.
A 38-second-long earthquake hit west of Port-au-Prince at 4:53 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2010.
Haitian officials estimated More than 300,000 people died.
Former President Barack Obama said the U.S. was involved in “one of the largest relief efforts in our recent history.”
Miami-Dade County stepped up to help. The University of Miami sent a team of physicians and nurses to help the injured. A new hospital was set up.
“We went from having nothing in a matter of hours and days, operating on a kitchen table to being in an air-conditioned 300-bed hospital with ICUs and a pharmacy,” Dr. Barth Armand Green said.
Watch Local 10’s coverage of the devastating 2010 hurricane in the video below.
Marleine Bastien, FANM’s Executive Director, urged the crowd to honor the lives lost and demand accountability in Haiti’s ongoing recovery efforts.
“We are gathering in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Haiti to remember one of the worst crises in modern history and to honor those who were killed and wounded as a result,” Bastien said in a news release. “We encourage all to join us to pray for the people of Haiti as they continue to face serious problems including corruption, a crippled infrastructure and grave human rights abuses. Let us come together to remember, reflect, and pray for a strong, just, and thriving Haiti!”
“As we reflect on this tragedy, we honor the memory of those we lost and celebrate the strength of the Haitian people,” said Coral Springs Vice Mayor Nancy Metayer Bowen. “Haiti’s story is one of perseverance and hope. Even in the face of unimaginable devastation, the Haitian community has continued to rise, rebuild, and inspire the world.”
Organizers also emphasized the need for global support and solidarity as Haiti continues to face corruption, infrastructure challenges, and human rights abuses.
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