The ripple effect from the epicenter
Aug 17, 2021
PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI -- On August 14, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake rocked the small island nation of Haiti and neighboring countries, with the death toll at more than 1,200 people and thousands of homes and businesses leveled. The epicenter was located in the southwestern part of Haiti, less than 80 miles from the capital city, Port-au-Prince.
Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has declared a month-long national state of emergency and has called on the international community for much needed humanitarian assistance as thousands await emergency care and adequate shelter.
“Our hearts go out to the Haitians who are struggling not only with this natural disaster but still recovering from the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, unprecedented gang violence, the COVID-19 pandemic, and general economic hardship,” said Tim Walker, chair of the USA Rice Western Hemisphere Promotions Subcommittee. “Haitians are strong, however, and will get through this unprecedented confluence of adversities.”
Rescue efforts are being further complicated with the arrival of Tropical Storm Grace, which was downgraded from hurricane status, late Monday evening. Rolling blackouts, landslides, and flooding threaten the progress of search and rescue teams on the ground and those en route. Critical medical provisions, potable water, and reliable food supplies are in short supply due to limited access to the most affected areas.
Haitians consume rice daily and access to this shelf stable good is essential in times of crisis. The U.S. supplies more than 90 percent of Haiti’s rice imports and favorable logistics mean that exporters can quickly supply this market. Export sales earlier this month showed 75,000 MT of U.S. rice going to Haiti and additional shipments will be needed as Haiti rebuilds.
In fact, a shipment of milled southern long grain was discharging at Cape Haïtien when the earthquake struck. The shipment was successfully unloaded, however with roads in the region completely impassable it is unclear when and how the rice will reach its destination.