Poverty was blamed for the high death toll of around 230 thousand people, with most people living in poorly built concrete buildings.
1.5 million displaced people were relocated to temporary camps as aid efforts got under way to clear millions of tonnes of rubble.
But many other problems followed, including the lack of access to clean drinking water and an outbreak of cholera.
The other challenge was how to rebuild without repeating haphazard building practices.
Although the economy is underway again, many of the original buildings, like the historic presidential palace, have not yet been rebuilt.
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