Hurricane Matthew in Jeremie, Haiti, Where Natural Hazards and Political Upheavals Collide

Nottingham Trent University Expert, Dr. Steven Godby said, this about Haiti's natural hazards, "

As Matthew churns along the coast of Florida, its impact in Haiti is becoming clearer as humanitarian agencies begin to reach the worst affected area. A storm of this magnitude was always likely to prove catastrophic wherever it made landfall, but Haiti is particularly vulnerable to natural hazards. The poorest nation in the western hemisphere, it has struggled in recently with drought and food insecurity, the devastating earthquake of 2010, environmental degradation and political instability. In addition to the loss of life and damage to infrastructure there will be longer term impacts. Almost 40% of Haitians work in agriculture and many are subsistence farmers who be severely affected by the heavy rains. The loss of homes, livelihoods and savings will impact communities long after the relief operation for Matthew has finished, leaving them vulnerable and magnifying the impacts of future events.”