Faces of Recovery: Seismic citizens
This story is from the "Faces of Recovery" series about how Haitians, the UN and partners responded to the devastation caused by the August 2021 earthquake.
Sadrac Saint Fleur is a disaster risk reduction specialist with the UN Development Programme (UNDP) with a special focus on earthquakes. He believes his expertise and the establishment of a network of people to report seismic activity will save lives in Haiti.
“I had opportunities to work overseas, but I decided to return to my country because I want to help to educate young Haitian people. This is my life’s choice. I can contribute my knowledge of how to reduce the risks when disasters, like earthquakes, strike. I get huge satisfaction each time I teach a young person how to react during a disaster, knowing that one more life could be saved.
After the 2010 earthquake, I set up a series of nationwide seismic survey stations, which monitor tremors. Today, volunteers who I call “seismic citizens” help to monitor seismic activity so we can better predict where and when an earthquake may occur, which can help to prevent potential disasters. The contribution of local people is a very important part of this process”.
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