 Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere , and is ranked 149th of 182 countries on the Human Development Index . The Australian government 's travel advisory site had previously expressed concerns that Haitian emergency services would be unable to cope in the event of a major disaster , and the country is considered " economically vulnerable " by the Food and Agriculture Organization . Haiti is no stranger to natural disasters . In addition to earthquakes , it has been struck frequently by tropical cyclones , which have caused flooding and widespread damage . The most recent cyclones to hit the island before the earthquake were Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricanes Gustav , Hanna and Ike , all in the summer of 2008 , causing nearly 800 deaths . 
 Haiti <a href='drop_aux' title='1'><mark>is</mark></a>the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere , and is ranked 149th of 182 countries on the Human Development Index . The Australian government <a href='null_genetive' title='2'><mark>'s</mark></a>travel advisory site <a href='been_done' title='3'><mark>had</mark></a> previously expressed concerns that Haitian emergency services would be unable to cope in the event of a major disaster , and the country is considered " economically vulnerable " by the Food and Agriculture Organization . Haiti <a href='drop_aux' title='4'><mark>is</mark></a>no stranger to natural disasters . In addition to earthquakes , it <a href='been_done' title='5'><mark>has</mark></a> been struck frequently by tropical cyclones , which <a href='been_done' title='6'><mark>have</mark></a> caused flooding and widespread damage . The most recent cyclones to hit the island before the earthquake <a href='uninflect' title='7'><mark>were</mark></a> Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricanes Gustav , Hanna and Ike , all in the summer of 2008 , causing nearly 800 deaths . 
Haiti the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere , and is ranked 149th of 182 countries on da Human Development Index . The Australian government  travel advisory site done previously expressed concerns dat Haitian emergency services would be unable to cope in tdaevent of a major disaster , and the country is considered " economically vulnerable " by the Food and Agriculture Organization . Haiti no stranger to natural disasters . In addition to earthquakes , it done been struck frequently by tropical cyclones , which done caused flooding and widespread damage . Thdaost recent cyclones to hit the island before the earthquake was Tropical Storm Fay and Hurricanes Gustav , Hanna and Ike , all in the summer of 2008 , causing nearly 800 deaths .