With at least 1,297 deaths, more than 30,000 families left homeless following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Haiti on 14 August, the International Union of Architects (UIA) joins and supports the efforts of our partner organisations that are helping with this tragedy including the Emergency Architects Foundation. We call upon our Member Sections around the world to urge their governments to provide disaster relief assistance and support the reconstruction efforts that will follow.
This disaster brings back memories of the 2010 earthquake that killed more than 200,000 people and caused significant devastation and damage. As such, we continue to stress the importance for architects to develop mitigation and preventive strategies addressing both pre and post disaster issues.
The UIA, through the Architecture for All Work Programme, has developed Inclusive Design Guidelines for Architecture and Urban Planningwhen responding to natural disasters and emergencies. The rebuilding of communities affected by climate change and natural disasters must include climate resilience initiatives to mitigate the impact of future disasters and build back better.
On behalf of UIA President José Luis Cortés, we extend our condolences and solidarity with the people of Haiti as well as l’Association haïtienne des architectes et urbanistes (the Haitian Association of Architects and Urbanists).
