the Online NewsHour
E-mail This Page   Print This Page  
the Online NewsHour EXTRANews for Students AND Teacher Resources MAIN: ONLINE NEWSHOUR
7 - 12 grade level
SEARCH
ALL OR STUDENT VOICES LESSON PLANS VIDEO GO
Main: NewsHour ExtraU.S.WorldScienceEconomicsHealthArts and MediaStudent VoicesTeacher Center
Posted on January 14, 2010

Haiti Stunned By Destruction in Quake's Aftermath

Haiti, an impoverished nation in the Caribbean, has been stunned by the destruction left by a 7.0 scale earthquake. In this video, NewsHour correspondent Judy Woodruff reports on the impact of the earthquake and ongoing rescue efforts.

Most buildings in the capital Port-au-Prince have been destroyed and thousands of people are sleeping in the streets because they are afraid of going inside.

As of yet there is no accurate death toll but estimates range from the thousands to 500,000 people dead.

President Obama offered his support to the people of Haiti.

"With just a few hundred miles of ocean between us and a long history that binds us together, Haitians are our neighbors in the Americas and here at home," he said.

"The infrastructure is all down at the moment. There is no power. It's very, very dark. Earlier in the evening, before it got too dark, you were hearing a lot of people obviously breathing and a lot of distress going on, looking for their missing relatives. We are really quite concerned about several of the children and -- and families at the moment and what's going to happen." - Ian Rodgers

"I assure my spiritual closeness to those who have lost their homes and to all the people who are suffering in various ways for this calamity, imploring from God consolation and relief for their sufferings." - Pope Benedict XVI

"With just a few hundred miles of ocean between us and a long history that binds us together, Haitians are our neighbors in the Americas and here at home. Our thoughts and prayers are also with the many Haitian-Americans around our country who do not yet know the fate of their families and loved ones back home." - President Barack Obama

1. Find Haiti on a map. What do you know about the country?

2. What might be some differences between the way a major earthquake affects a poor country and a rich country?

1. What did you learn from this video?

2. Haiti is a very poor country where many people do not have any money. How might this make the devastation from the quake worse? How will this impact relief efforts?

3. Why does such dire poverty exist in Haiti? See the full Extra story here.

4. What natural disasters have had devastating effects in the U.S.? How is this country equipped to handle natural disasters. Do you feel that we are prepared?

5. What are some ways that you or your classmates can help the people of Haiti?

6. How would the destruction of the capital Port-au-Prince impact the national psyche? How would you feel?

Comments

  • Posted:
    01/16/10 at
    08:30 PM
    carmen : i now u guys are going through a hard time but dont fight each other me and my famile are tring to send money to you guys god bless all u guys youre in my praiyors
  • Posted:
    01/20/10 at
    02:19 PM
    Tharazun : I think that it was a very sad feeling of what had in Hati and it was devastating all the kids that were killed.
  • Posted:
    01/20/10 at
    02:43 PM
    kjss : thanxs! u guys rock! I will donate by text
  • Posted:
    01/21/10 at
    02:16 PM
    Anonymous : i think it is very sad that a impoverished country was detroyed by a 7.0 an a 6.9 on Jan.12 an on Jan.19,2010 I am also glad that president obama is going to help them.
  • Posted:
    02/ 9/10 at
    04:41 PM
    renee : i think that everyone in hati is very strong because having two earthquakes and havin their entire lifes trn apart has to be very hard. i couldnt imagine how hard i is over there right now.i am very glad thet president obama is helping those in hati.
Post a Comment:

This is a teacher community that thrives on your thoughts, suggestions and comments. We would love to have a free ranging discussion in this space about the resources and how we can all encourage young people to think about current events and the world around them.

So, dive in. Tell other teachers what you like about this video, what you wish was different and what you hope to accomplish.

Especially helpful? Come back after using the video and let us know how it worked!

To ensure a productive and civil discourse, we pre-moderate comments, so it might take a little time for your comment to appear.

Thanks for waiting.

Name: (required, pseudonym ok)
E-mail address: (required, will not be published)
Comment:
 

 
Welcome
Video Packages
Compiled from over 30 years of NewsHour archives, video packages provide historical context to topical issues.
Black Monday

NewsHour Coverage of Financial Turmoil

A selection of NewsHour coverage of past turmoil in financial markets.

Oil

Oil Prices: a Brief History

Four decades of NewsHour coverage on the price of oil.

NewsHour Coverage of Immigration Issues

As an increasing number of people enter the U.S. illegally, the United States has struggled to address the immigration issue.

Bridge

Examining the State of U.S. Infrastructure

Ray Suarez examines the state of bridges, ports, airports and roads across the U.S. in Blueprint America, a collaboration with WNET New York.

More resources: Blueprint America

Hurricane photo

A Look Back: Hurricane Katrina

NewsHour reports from the days immediately following the hurricane, detailing the storm\'s damage, broken levees, evacuations and the relief efforts.

Mao watch

NewsHour Coverage of Modern China

This video package focuses on modern Chinese history and how some of the biggest developments from the country have influenced the world.

Mars lander

NASA Celebrates Fifty Years

NASA was established on July 29, 1958. Watch recent NewsHour interviews with NASA scientists and reports on NASA research.

Radovan Karadzic

NewsHour Coverage of Radovan Karadzic

A collection of NewsHour coverage of former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, who was captured in July 2008 on war crimes charges.

Benazir Bhutto

NewsHour Interviews with Pakistani Leader Benazir Bhutto

A series of interviews with assassinated Pakistani politician Benazir Bhutto, the first woman elected to lead a Muslim country.

 
FRIDAY
A Timely Drop in Gas Prices for Memorial Day Trips
News Wrap: SpaceX 'Dragon' Reaches Space Station
Partial Vote Count in Egypt Reveals Public Rift
What a Muslim Brotherhood Win Might Mean for U.S.
The Legacy of Etan Patz
Are U.S. Nuclear Plants Ready for a Meltdown?
Brooks, Marcus on Coming Economic 'Chaos,' Bain
When the Ancient Past Reaches Out and Touches Us
An hour-long daily news broadcast.