Haitian City of Gonaives Struggles to Help Port-au-Prince Residents

09 February 2010

Hundreds of thousands of people fled the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince after the city was devastated by an earthquake nearly one month ago. At least 35,000 headed north to the town of Gonaives. The newcomers have been welcomed, but the influx is taking a toll on the city, which is still recovering from destructive hurricanes.

Gonaives, a three-hour drive north of Port-au-Prince, is important in Haitian history. It is the place where the nation declared its independence from France in 1804.

Although the city of 300,000 escaped the earthquake, it has faced repeated disasters. In 2004 and 2008, thousands died in Gonaives when their homes were flooded during hurricanes. The economy has not yet recovered.

Still, Gonaives Deputy Mayor Jean Francois Adolphe says that after the earthquake struck Port-au-Prince, Gonaives officials wanted to help, and went there to arrange an evacuation.

He says many people from Gonaives and surrounding areas who live in Port-au-Prince were brought out. He holds up a chart that details the evacuation plan.

Many who were injured, including thousands with no ties to this area, also came for medical treatment, food and other help. Most are staying with local families. Others are hospitalized.

Adeclef Woodly, a doctor at the local hospital, is a Haitian who was trained in Cuba. He says his hospital receives patients with the most serious injuries who need orthopedic care, patients who need amputations of arms or hands, or who have hip injuries with multiple fractures.