[11][12] The Haitian Civil Protection General Directorate (DGPC) warned of a possible large humanitarian crisis resulting from the earthquake.

[13] USAID provided US $32 million in foreign aid to Haiti for reconstruction efforts following the devastating earthquake.

The largest earthquake in the region prior to the 2021 event was in 1952, and measured 6.2 magnitude, occurring 35 km to the west.

[22] At least 900 aftershocks have been recorded following the mainshock, the strongest being Mw 5.8 in magnitude and centered approximately 65 kilometers further west on the Tiburon Peninsula.

[35][34] Widespread tsunami warnings were issued throughout the Caribbean, with waves up to 3 to 10 feet (1–3 metres) high initially expected to hit Port au Prince.

The city suffered extensive damage including many collapsed homes, places of worship, and commercial buildings.

[39][40] The Haitian Civil Protection General Directorate later reported that more than 60,700 homes have been destroyed and 76,100 others have sustained damages as of August 18.

[4][42] A report published by the Inter-American Development Bank estimated the total losses at US$1.6 billion, or 9.6% of Haiti's gross domestic product (GDP).

[43] The Immaculee Conception Church of Les Anglais, a historical landmark constructed in 1907, collapsed when the quake struck during a Mass.

[47] Haitian prime minister Ariel Henry declared a state of emergency due to the high number of casualties and the severe damage.

[51][52] Portions of the Catholic bishop's residence in Les Cayes collapsed, killing a priest and two employees and injuring Cardinal Chibly Langlois.

A report published by UNICEF on 30 August 2021 stated that at least 800,000 people, 250,000 of them children, had been affected by the quake and are in need of humanitarian aid.

[55] Foreign charities, nongovernmental organizations, and other volunteer groups sent workers, supplies, and equipment to help in the recovery and search and rescue.

[56] On August 23, rescue workers found 24 people, 20 adults, and four children, alive under the rubble of a collapsed building near the mountain Pic Macaya.

[58] The UN requested over $180 million to aid in recovery efforts related to providing basic living assistance to victims and the surrounding area.

Haitian people are sleeping in homes missing roofs and walls, open fields, and public buildings.

[61] The earthquake is also said to have triggered additional burden on working women and caused a temporary setback in their career progressions.

[63] The National Hurricane Center forecasted Tropical Depression Grace to produce up to 15 inches (380 mm) of rainfall in some spots in Haiti, threatening rescue and recovery efforts in the affected area.

The trust towards the government is low in the areas as the citizens do not expect help due to the great complications, further mobilizing the voluntary project.

[66] According to Prime Minister and acting President Ariel Henry, local hospitals have been overrun by the large inflow of injured victims after the earthquake.

[75] Japanese professional tennis player Naomi Osaka, who is of Haitian descent, stated in a tweet that she would donate all her prize money at the Cincinnati Masters to support rescue and recovery efforts ongoing in Haiti.

[76][77] American sportswear brand Skechers announced on August 19 that they would be contributing US$1 million in donations to support ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.

[82][83] Forty four people were arrested in connection to the assassination[83] and Moïse's death left Haiti in political turmoil.

"According to the National Human Rights Defense Network, there are more than 90 gangs in the country, likely with thousands of members and far more powerful than the police," Bloomberg reports.