A draft report (Building Assessments and Rubble Removal in Quake-Affected Neighborhoods in Haiti) commissioned by the US Agency for International Development (USAID), to the firm LTL Strategies, an International Development and Business consulting firm, works with companies, organizations, international institutions and governments to improve and expand their activities domestically and internationally, casts doubt on the official death toll of victims of January 12, 2010 in Haiti, it presents figures significantly lower than those published by the Government of Haiti.

Although not yet completed and published, the Agence France Presse (AFP) was able to consult it, this latter indicates "the number of fatalities that resulted from the earthquake is estimated at 46,190 to 84,961, approximately 2.2% of the population" while the official death toll of the Haitian authorities is 200,000 to 250,000. This report dated May 13 also questions official UN figures that around 680,000 people remain homeless, according to the report, the reality on the ground would be closer to a figure between 5 and 10% of that number. The estimates contained in this independent report are based on an investigative work door to door which was conducted by the firm LTL Strategies.

The report's findings and conclusions of the program color coding of the buildings by the Department of Public Works, Transportation and Communications (MTPTC), and most other estimates suggest that the figures cited are improbable.

The surveys found that 64 percent of red (severe damage, extensive structural repairs, demolition and reconstruction to take into account, structure considered unsafe for the occupation pose a risk to the occupants and people to the surroundings) houses and more than 90 percent of yellow (moderate damage, structural repairs necessary, possible occupation with precaution) homes were already reoccupied.

Mark Toner, spokesman for the State Department says "the first draft of the report contained internal inconsistencies with its own findings" adding that "we are reviewing these inconsistencies with LTL Strategies to ensure information we release is accurate."

An official of the Government of Haiti under cover of anonymity said "honestly, I have never heard of these figures" adding that "the official figures remain the same. It's surprising that we would talk about new figures now."

This report could have major implications and impact for the future of aid and reconstruction of Haiti.

HL/ HaitiLibre