URBAN DISASTERS EVALUATION: LESSONS FROM HAITI

This report was commissioned to examine the risk of other large urban disasters over the next decade and to guide preparation for future responses. The report said that the 950 million people now living in urban slums would be particularly vulnerable during any disaster. Three of the potential urban disasters which aid workers fear most are earthquakes affecting Tehran, Istanbul or Kathmandu.

The report seeks to highlight the lessons learned from good practice and errors made in the response to the Earthquake in Haiti, which took place in the context of widespread poverty and high population density.

It said it was particularly important to work closely with local traders, businesses, communities and government following such disasters. It also suggested prioritising support for permanent resettlement in existing neighbourhoods, rather than focusing on working in camps or providing temporary shelter.

This video summary presents the ten key lessons from the response in Haiti: