There were 586 deaths in Haiti as a direct result of Hurricane Matthew, and 128 people were reported missing. Forty-seven people died in the USA, in the region stretching from Florida up to Virginia. There were also a number of fatalities in other countries hit by the hurricane.
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There was a cholera outbreak in Haiti, caused by contaminated drinking water. Haiti also experienced widespread destruction of crops, which led to food shortages.
The hurricane destroyed around 200,000 homes in Haiti, leaving 1.4 million people in need of humanitarian aid.
Emergency Response to Hurricane Matthew
Governments and aid agencies, such as Mercy Corps and World Vision, provided short- and long-term help in the countries affected by the hurricane. Examples of short-term aid
Examples of long-term aid
Emergency shelter provided for those who lost their homes
Food and medical supplies provided to thousands of families across the affected countries
Water purifiers provided to ensure clean water
Seed distribution to grow crops and agricultural support for farmers who lost their livelihoods
Rebuilding of roads and buildings such as hospitals and schools
Provision of counselling to help people cope with the losses they experienced
Go to YouTube and
search ‘Death toll rises in Haiti after Hurricane Matthew’ (1:38). Write a short paragraph describing the damage experienced and the problems now faced by people in the aftermath of the hurricane.
A woman in Haiti receives emergency food aid.
1. Which country experienced the most economic damage from Hurricane Matthew? Which country experienced the greatest number of deaths?
2. Briefly explain why you think the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew was different between each country it made contact with.
3. Why do you think the majority of people killed by the hurricane were in Haiti?
