Semester of Graduation

Fall 2017

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Environmental Sciences

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Earthquakes can have enormous consequences on affected countries. To minimize these harsh consequences, an effective disaster management plan is necessary and a reasonable strategy is necessary to recover and get back to a normal life when they happen. Studies from scientists show that it is difficult to predict when an earthquake will occur. Because of this unpredictability, high-risk countries need to act continuously in order to deal with any sudden strike that may occur by stressing on the mitigation and preparedness activities and by designing appropriate response plans. In Haiti, a well-known earthquake-prone country, the preparedness and mitigation plans have always been critically deficient. Consequently, the 2010 earthquake has exposed the country’s horrendous disaster management system. There was not a clear-cut strategy or measure to cope with any kind of major disaster even though it was well-known that the risk level is high and the threats are real. The response and recovery plans have been conceived promptly just after the earthquake hit with different international approaches that led to an astonishing inefficiency. The country is still under high-level seismic risk. Learning from the past mistakes can help to reduce potential disaster damage scope. Therefore, this thesis analyzes the effectiveness of the response plan by analyzing the strategies used by the different stakeholders after the earthquake and recalls the preparedness activities for potential major similar catastrophic events. To attain its objectives, a strategic management method, the hybrid SWOT-AHP analysis approach, is employed. Data needed to run the model are sourced from official reports, governmental websites and databases, and other scholarly sources. The results and analysis are used to make some recommendations with regard to the strategies needed to strengthen the country’s mitigation, preparedness, and response capacity to earthquake risk and disaster threats.

Date

8-7-2017

Committee Chair

Portier, Ralph J.

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.4306

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