By Ali Ibrahim and Luisa Toro (graduate students at the New Jersey Institute of Technology)By Ali Ibrahim and Luisa Toro (graduate students at the New Jersey Institute of Technology)
A 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit Mexico on September 19, 2017, about 76 miles away from Mexico City, leaving over 300 people dead. [FOX] The earthquake caused building to sway and panicked office workers to run into the streets. Mexican media reported several collapsed buildings in parts of Mexico city and nearby Cuernavaca. The U.S. Geological Survey said the quake was centered near the Puebla state town of Roboso.
Earthquakes can result in people becoming homeless because of the destruction of houses. Shelter is one of the primary needs of the affected people after an earthquake. The types of these shelters vary and can include emergency sheltering, temporary sheltering, temporary housing and permanent housing.
In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake the Mexican Red Cross had more than 600 Volunteers, 90 ambulances, and dozens of teams searching for survivors and transporting the injured to hospitals. The American Red Cross has committed $100,000 in relief. [Redcross]
Figure 1. Red Cross in action.
After buildings collapse and houses are destroyed people have no choice but to leave their belongings behind under debris. The types of these shelters vary and can include but not limited for emergency sheltering, temporary sheltering, temporary housing and permanent housing. Specific shelters in use include: schools, hotel rooms, friend’s house, tent, trailers, and campers. The Mexican government has opened 14 shelters. [USAToday]
After the Sept. 19 earthquake in Mexico City the private high school Centro Universitario de Mexico has become a help center [CGTN]. Food, medical supplies and water come in via the principal’s office and make their way into the gymnasium where many are sheltered. As volunteers search for surviors and as the survivors reach the gymnasium there are doctors and nurses helping. But most importantly there are psychologist on site speaking with survivors and helping then understand of the current situation.
Figure 2. Mexico High School becomes into a shelter.
Animals also require shelter after earthquakes. Following the Sept. 7 earthquake in southern Mexico, the Humane Society established a shelter in Juchitan that took in more than 1,300 animals.
References
