Wednesday, Jan. 12 Haiti Earthquake Anniversary

Haiti Earthquake Anniversary: In Haiti today people are solemnly marking the anniversary of the worst natural disaster in the nation's history. The government says the earthquake killed more than 230,000 people but the exact toll is unknown. One group that has been particularly involved in relief efforts is Partners in Health. My next guest, Dr. Evan Lyon – who has in Haiti with Partners for 13 years – arrived on the 4th day after the earthquake and worked in the capital for the next seven months. He says perhaps the most dramatic thing he’s seen since the earthquake is the remarkably little change in people's living conditions in Port-au-Prince. Very little rubble has been cleared – an estimated five percent according to various aide groups. Camps are largely as they were first constructed back in February and March, if not worse in some places after wear and tear and a few storms over the summer and fall. Some basic provisions are provided - but many needs remain unmet and the refugee communities look like they are becoming nearly permanent. Dr. Lyon, you say ‘by necessity (people) are settling in for a long haul.'