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Miyamoto in Haiti: Love it or Hate it? Love it!

August 29, 2014November 16, 2018,
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This post is part of a series called Miyamoto in Haiti
Show More Posts
  • The 2010 Haiti Earthquake, Part 1
  • The 2010 Haiti Earthquake, Part 2
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: The Presidential Palace, A Fractured Haitian Icon
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Damage Assessment of the Japanese Embassy
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: The Well-Oiled Relief Machine Rolling Through Haiti
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Inside a Heavily Damaged Building
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Visiting The Citadel
  • Thirty Months in Haiti, Part 1
  • Thirty Months in Haiti, Part 2
  • Thirty Months in Haiti, Part 3
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: A Morning and Afternoon of Hopeful Rebuilding
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: School Rebuilding and Construction Continues
  • Trente mois en Haïti, 1eme partie
  • Trente mois en Haïti, 2eme partie
  • Trente mois en Haïti, 3eme partie
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Visiting a Remote School Construction Site Near Cap-Haïtien
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Self-Sustaining Relief
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Love it or Hate it? Love it!
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: Lycee de Cite Soleil Rehabilitation Project
  • Miyamoto in Haiti: The Hopeful Road to Recovery
  • A Day in the Haiti Disaster Zone
  • Kidnappers & Disaster
  • A Disaster Week in Haiti

When Structural Engineering Students for Humanity (SESH) decided that Haiti was to be the destination of our summer 2014 trip, we were often given a warning: “You will either love Haiti or you will hate it.” I am happy to report that after spending two weeks in a country that I never thought I would visit, I cannot wait to plan my return.The love that Haitian people have for their county is truly contagious. Despite the hardships they have faced, they firmly believe that Haiti is capable of achieving a better future. I have come to agree with them.

SESH worked on several projects in Haiti, but the project that stands out most is our very first project: working with Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief on a plan to retrofit Bernard Mevs Hospital.

SESH arrived at Bernard Mevs on the morning of June 17 unsure of what to expect on our first full day in Haiti. We were given a tour of the facilities and what I saw made me eager to help in any way possible. Bernard Mevs is currently the only trauma, critical care and rehabilitation hospital in Haiti. It also has the only neonatal and pediatric intensive care units. This hospital treats 200 to 300 patients every day in an outpatient clinic, as well as having 50 inpatients daily. It does all this in a building designed to be an architecture school. In order to reduce crowding, Bernard Mevs recently acquired the building across the street, which they plan to use for outpatient facilities.

SESH walked through that building with Dr. H. Kit Miyamoto, CEO/President of Miyamoto Global Disaster Relief and Miyamoto International, and brainstormed possible solutions for a retrofit that would fit the hospital’s budget. SESH was given the task to document any existing damage to the building and to take measurements for plans that will be used in the design of the retrofit.

Even though we completed only a small portion of the work that will need to be done, I am extremely proud of what I have contributed to this project. Never before have I felt that something I was doing had the potential to help thousands of people and really make a difference in a community. This is a feeling that I will never forget and hope to have the opportunity to feel again.

For me, the true magic of Haiti, and what makes me want to return, is the opportunity to do meaningful work around every corner. I never fully understood the potential structural engineers have in non-profit organizations until I worked in Haiti where I was able to witness how valuable well-built structures truly are. I have been inspired to continue to use my skills to help people in disaster-stricken places all over the world.

Kit Miyamoto
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ABOUT

Kit Miyamoto

As CEO of the structural engineering company Miyamoto International, Kit is dedicated to making the world a better place. In Kit's words: our responsibility as engineers is to make buildings safer by sharing what we know around the world. Join his journey to make the world a better, safer place.

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Congrats to our recently promoted Miyamoto Princip Congrats to our recently promoted Miyamoto Principals and Associate Principals. Thank you for all that you do to make the world a better, safer place.

#Miyamoto #MiyamotoInternational #Promotion #ThankYou
A powerful earthquake has struck regions of #Afgha A powerful earthquake has struck regions of #Afghanistan, #Pakistan, and #India. The epicenter was around the mountainous city of Jurm in northeastern #Afghanistan, near the border with #Pakistan with a magnitude of at least M6.5 on the Richter scale.

The region and near vicinities must be prepared for aftershocks, usually smaller than the main earthquake but can still cause damage or collapse already damaged buildings. In the case of an aftershock:

✔️If you are indoors, quickly move to a sturdy desk or table and take cover. Stay away from outside walls and anything that could fall on you.
✔️If you are outside, move away from buildings and trees. Find an open area and stay there until the shaking stops.
✔️If you are traveling by vehicle, stop in a clear location, and stay inside the vehicle until the shaking stops. Avoid stopping near buildings, trees, walls, or anything that can fall on you.
✔️If available, follow any instructions or guidance from local authorities and emergency services.

یوې زورورې زلزلې د #افغانستان، #پاکستان او #هند سیمې ولړزولې. د زلزلې مرکز د #افغانستان په شمال ختیځ کې د جرم د غرني ښار په شاوخوا کې د #پاکستان پولې ته نږدې و.
سیمه او نږدې ځایونه باید د وروسته شاکونو لپاره چمتو وي ، معمولا د اصلي زلزلې څخه کوچني مګر لاهم د زیان لامل کیدی شي یا دمخه زیانمن شوي ودانیو سقوط. د وروسته شاک په قضیه کې:
⁇  که تاسو په کور کې یاست ، ژر تر ژره یو قوي میز یا میز ته لاړشئ او پوښ یې واخلئ. د بهر دیوالونو او هر هغه څه څخه لرې اوسئ چې تاسو باندې راوتلی شي.
 که تاسو بهر یاست ، له ودانیو او ونو څخه لرې شئ. یوه خلاصه سیمه ومومئ او هلته پاتې شئ تر هغه چې ټکان ودریږي.
که تاسو د موټر په واسطه سفر کوئ ، په روښانه موقعیت کې ودریږئ ، او د موټر دننه پاتې شئ تر هغه چې ټکان ودریږي. ودانیو ، ونو ، دیوالونو ، یا هر هغه څه ته نږدې کیدو څخه مخنیوی وکړئ چې تاسو باندې راوتلی شي.
که شتون ولري ، د ځایی چارواکو او عاجل خدماتو څخه لارښوونې یا لارښوونې تعقیب کړئ.

 #earthquake
As per #earthquake regulations, it is essential to As per #earthquake regulations, it is essential to make sure you have a good connection to prevent dislodging. However, in this scenario, the building’s connections were not secured correctly, leading to its inevitable collapse.

It is imperative to recognize that even the most minor details, such as securing the connections accurately, can have a significant impact on the safety of a building. Such precautions do not entail significant expenses but can make a vital difference in life-threatening situations. Tragically, it often takes a calamity like this to raise awareness of the criticality of adhering to appropriate #structural #engineering guidelines.

Tap the link in our bio to learn more about how #structuralengineering can save lives.
Massive destruction of civilian infrastructure has Massive destruction of civilian infrastructure has left hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians in damaged homes or buildings.

Last week’s missile attack across #Ukraine resulted in more loss of life, homelessness, destruction, and damage to private homes. As reported by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency in Lviv oblast, the village of Velyka Vilshanytsya was severely impacted, including loss of life and damage to some 21 homes.

600 Km east Miyamoto International Ukraine was in #Bucha & #Irpyn inspecting houses and apartments repaired after war damages.

Preparations for the country’s reconstruction should not be on hold. The right time to support #Ukraine’s recovery is now, so the full reconstruction can #start right the next day Russian hostilities #end.

Civilians are #NotATarget #StandWithUkraine
Announcing the #Expansion of #Miyamoto Capacity: # Announcing the #Expansion of #Miyamoto Capacity: #Urban #Resilience & #Rehabilitation!

Our #MiyamotoInternational team possesses deep experience in urban resilience, #urbanplanning, and rehabilitation, including using nature-based solutions and sustainable materials. Moreover, our experience in participatory planning processes and capacity building, ranging from community engagements in informal settlements to engaging hand-in-hand with high-level officials and #government entities, brings a pragmatic and cutting-edge cross-disciplinary and integrated approach to #sustainability and resilience.

We work through a system-based approach that acknowledges entire ecosystems, enhances #community #development (participation and co-creation with communities), tackles risk mitigation, reinforces the #ecology (including the integration of NBS), and fosters local #economic development. We bring a vast international experience and the ability to integrate and address a deep understanding of local context, needs, and potentials.

Some of our principles include:

✔️Aligning with current planning standards
✔️Integrated planning strategies
✔️Addressing multiple scales + systems-based approach
✔️Focus on community development + local governance
✔️Urban Design and Placemaking
✔️Equity and inclusion

Learn more at the link in our bio!
Today, on International Women's Day, we take a mom Today, on International Women's Day, we take a moment to recognize and celebrate the incredible women working at Miyamoto International and at the companies and organizations we continuously collaborate with to make the world safer. We are proud to be part of an industry that increasingly recognizes the value of diversity and inclusion, and we are grateful for the talented and dedicated women who are helping to lead the way.

From #engineers who are designing buildings and infrastructure that will stand the test of time to the local office staff working hard behind the scenes to keep our projects on track, women in all roles significantly impact our industry. Their contributions are essential to the success of our projects and the strength and #resilience of the communities we serve.

At Miyamoto International, we support and empower #women in all roles. We believe #diversity and #inclusion are essential ingredients for success. By embracing different perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, we can solve complex problems, innovate new solutions, and create a more equitable and #sustainable future for all.

So today and always, we thank all the amazing women who are part of our team and the wider Miyamoto International family. Your hard work, talent, and dedication are truly inspiring, and we are proud to stand alongside you as we work to build a safer, stronger, and more resilient world for all.
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