Alright, so I felt that I was done for the day, but then comes this crazy CNN story, “Haiti Was Warned About Quake Risk.” A paper presented in late 2008 by two scientists at the “18th Caribbean Geological Conference” stated that an earthquake posed “a major seismic hazard.” The implication of CNN’s headline is that the government of Haiti was warned and did nothing. I think I am going to barf again!
How many Bay Area Californians have left their homes because of they face “a major seismic hazard?” Meanwhile the GDP of Haiti in 2008 was $6.952 billion or $1,317 per capita. This compares to a U.S. GDP of $14,264,600 billion or $46,387 per capita in 2008. I am guessing that even with a GDP per capita of 35x that of a Haitian, most U.S. citizens will not move despite being warned they live in an earthquake or flood zone.
Furthermore, how realistic is it for Haitians warned of their impending doom via an obscure paper presented within the last year and a half to completely uproot and leave their country? Even if they could afford such a trek – which they cannot – they would have to be allowed into other countries, thus overcoming strict immigration laws. C’mon CNN…GET REAL!
So as you assess the damage in Haiti, let’s not use the “they were warned” excuse to feel unsympathetic. Geez!
Jason
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