Press Release

For immediate release:

Haiti Disaster: Laying the Foundation for Recovery

LOS ANGELES, CA -- 01/26/10 -- In the wake of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that shook Haiti earlier this month, the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) and Miyamoto International, Structural and Earthquake Engineers, have been working together to bring critical resources and structural engineering expertise to earthquake-devastated country. For the past week, Miyamoto and PADF, in coordination with the World Bank and the Haitian government, have been providing structural damage assessments and recommendations for safe access to buildings in Port-au-Prince. Miyamoto has assessed many key governmental buildings including the Financial Ministry and National Palace.

Kit Miyamoto, CEO of Miyamoto International and Global Risk Miyamoto, said, "One of the most critical aspects of disaster response is to assess damaged facilities through an advanced structural engineering lens. We need to assess essential buildings for structural safety and damage severity. This is the first step toward recovery and reconstruction."

In addition to addressing critical humanitarian needs, the effort included recovering important, irreplaceable documents from collapsed Financial Ministry structures and the National Palace. Government officials called upon PADF and Miyamoto for their expertise, to successfully retrieve Haiti’s national security documents and to identify the safe buildings to occupy for governance.

Miyamoto learned of the significance of these documents and the importance of returning them to the leadership of Haiti, but he refers to his own actions pragmatically: "Even a small feat like this makes me feel like we saved some lives today, indirectly. Without these national security documents that are essential for governing and the ability to safely occupy buildings, it would be very difficult for the government to conduct the fast recovery effort needed in this unprecedented disaster."

PADF and Miyamoto attended to the most immediate post-earthquake needs for organizations and individuals in Port-au-Prince. They took the lead in providing earthquake engineering to Haiti this week and as a result, many were helped. In acknowledgement of the work being done in Haiti PADF Executive Director, John Sanbrailo, notes, "Kit provided an invaluable service to Haiti at an extremely critical time. PADF prides itself on its ability to bring together key professionals during a time of need, and Kit’s talents were a perfect fit."

A partnership inspired by a shared commitment to create sustainable communities, PADF and Miyamoto International will continue to work together and with key stakeholders on recovery strategies and reconstruction solutions for Haiti and beyond.

Follow Miyamoto’s direct reports from Haiti at www.miyamotointernational.com.

PADF is a non-profit organization established in 1962 to promote, facilitate, and implement social and economic development in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the past year, it had more than 5.6 million beneficiaries in 18 countries. PADF has worked in Haiti for almost 30 years. PADF is one of the largest non-governmental organizations in Haiti. With nearly three decades of work on the ground, PADF now manages a large portfolio of activities ranging from community-driven development to protecting human rights. Its headquarters is in Washington, D.C., and has field offices in Haiti, Colombia, the Dominican Republic and elsewhere. For more information, please visit www.padf.org.

Miyamoto International is a leader in earthquake and structural engineering. Founded in 1946, the West Coast–based company now has offices in the United States, Asia and Europe. Miyamoto International’s culture is deeply rooted in serving humanity. The company provides expert consultations for governments and private-sector organizations worldwide. www.miyamotointernational.com

 

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For more information, contact:
Jessica Stanton
jstanton@miyamotointernational.com

www.miyamotointernational.com