Five years ago, on August 14, 2021, a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Grand Sud region, 12 km northeast of Saint-Louis du Sud, sowing devastation, grieving families, and leaving deep wounds in the collective memory of our country (2,248 dead, 12,763 injured, 329 missing). https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34488-haiti-flash-more-than-300-dead-nearly-2-000-injured-very-significant-material-damage-provisional-assessment.html

The General Directorate of Civil Protection (DGPC) respectfully bows before the memory of those who lost their lives. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34681-haiti-earthquake-latest-assessment-of-civil-protection.html and expresses its renewed solidarity with the families, communities, and all those affected by this disaster.

"Remember, Recover, Build Resilience" the theme of this day of commemoration, invites us not only to honor the memory of the victims, but also to learn from the past and to pursue, with determination, actions aimed at better protecting the population.

The DGPC continues to strengthen its prevention, preparedness, and awareness-raising efforts within communities. These efforts are part of a broader dynamic to consolidate the National Disaster Risk Management System (NDRMMS), notably through strengthening coordination mechanisms, revitalizing the Permanent Risk Management Secretariat, and implementing the 2024–2027 Three-Year Operational Plan, which translates the guidelines of the 2019–2030 National Risk Management Plan into concrete actions. This framework prioritizes a multi-hazard, intersectoral approach focused on risk knowledge, governance, investment, and preparedness and response.

Through awareness campaigns, risk education activities, and the progressive strengthening of stakeholders' capacities, the DGPC is working to develop, within communities, the knowledge and behaviors necessary to better cope with emergency situations. This dynamic is also accompanied by efforts to strengthen operational capacities and preparedness and response tools in the most exposed areas.

Simulation exercises (SIMEX) are also essential tools in this approach. They allow us to test preparedness and response mechanisms, strengthen coordination among the various stakeholders, and identify the strengths and weaknesses of our systems in order to better prepare us for the next disaster. The national SIMEX exercise, held in the Southeast in September 2025, notably allowed us to test the operational capacities of the structures and coordination mechanisms in the face of a major event scenario.

It is in this spirit that the DGPC plans to organize a simulation exercise (SIMEX) in the South at the beginning of September 2026, continuing the efforts undertaken to strengthen the preparedness and response capacity of stakeholders and communities in this region, which is particularly exposed to natural hazards.

These efforts are part of a clear vision: an informed population is a better-prepared population, and a better-prepared population is a more resilient population. Five years after the earthquake, the progress made is encouraging, but many challenges remain. Resilience is not built solely after a disaster. It is built every day, through risk awareness, preparation, anticipation, solidarity, and collective action.

On this day of commemoration, the Directorate General of Civil Protection reaffirms its commitment to working alongside communities, local authorities, public institutions, national and international partners, and all risk management stakeholders to strengthen our country's capacities.

"Remember so we never forget. Rise again to keep moving forward. Build resilience to better protect present and future generations. Together, let us make the memory of August 14, 2021, a strength to build a Haiti that is more aware of its risks, better prepared, and more resilient."

See also:

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34681-haiti-earthquake-latest-assessment-of-civil-protection.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34559-haiti-flash-the-death-toll-rises-to-2-207-dead-and-12-268-injured.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-34488-haiti-flash-more-than-300-dead-nearly-2-000-injured-very-significant-material-damage-provisional-assessment.html

HL/ HaitiLibre