Ideas for Haitian-earthquake relief

[oregontocal]

Over 100,000 people killed-----James Ford, a Unitarian Universalist minister and Buddhist practitioner, writing his blog as Monkey Mind, has some excellent ideas for relief efforts.

http://monkeymindonline.blogspot.com/20 ... quake.html

[AlmostThere]

FYI- Just wanted to add:
Watched Katy Couric report from there tonight and she reported that the Haitian ( president?) or whatever they call their policital leader, told her he was disappointed and frustrated at the international relief and rescue effort. I'm not sure just what more he thought the world should be doing in such a short time. China alone has sent $21 Mil. and we are sending 5500 troops plus a huge ship with supplies is on it's way. Also the elite search and rescue team from Fairfax, VA. which includes physicians as well as rescue dogs. There were allot more countries joining in the relief effort, too. It will take a herculean effort to search through all the rubble as the town that was buried was a very poor town with no building codes so most of it is leveled.

[Cedar518]

FYI- Just wanted to add:
Watched Katy Couric report from there tonight and she reported that the Haitian ( president?) or whatever they call their policital leader, told her he was disappointed and frustrated at the international relief and rescue effort. I'm not sure just what more he thought the world should be doing in such a short time.

This is a horrible natural disaster. I can't imagine being buried alive under a building. I can't imagine not knowing where my children are,... or my mother and father.... heartbreaking beyond belief,...but...

I Remember Katrina.... my heart aches for the Haitians,... but still aches for our Gulf Coast people who have never gotten back what was lost. They never will, I know. But it really bothers me when we have dire poverty and hunger within our own borders and then send so much to other countries. I cringe. There is a "religious" group in the city north of me that sends a "Mission of Hope" group of workers and much aid material and money to Nicaragua every year. Do those people know that children come to school without socks and hats and mittens right here in our own North Country? I never see anything of them doing for our own.

OK,... down off my soapbox.

[oregontocal]

Here are some other organizations listed by Bread for the World.

http://www.bread.org/learn/global-hunge ... aign=haiti

Although I understand and wholeheartedly agree that we have to focus on devastating problems in our own country, I also feel it is very short-sighted and possibly even a little nationally arrogant to use that argument against doing whatever we can possibly do for PEOPLE in other countries, especially those countries as poor as Haiti. Quoting from the above article,

"As the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, Haiti has the highest rates of mortality for mothers, infants, and children under 5. Sixty percent of the population lacks access to basic health-care services. Most Haitians survive on less than $2 a day and depend on remittances from relatives in other countries to meet their basic needs -- remittances that have plummeted with the global recession. Even in the capital of Port-au-Prince, impoverished communities have few resources to cope with the acute impacts of this disaster."

The United States is the wealthiest nation in the world. IMHO, there is absolutely no reason, other than political and economic short-sightedness and greed, that there is such a wide gap between the rich and the poor here. But, we rest in our comfort, assured that SOMEONE ELSE will take care of things. I could go on and on, but the soapbox is too small for what I could say.

In the meantime, more than 100,000 people have died in Haiti and over 3 million people, more than a third of the population, has been affected in some way.

[Redetotry]

I wonder the same thing Cedar when you said "Do those people know that children come to school without socks and hats and mittens right here in our own North Country?"
(No I haven't figured out the quote thing yet sorry)
I'm sure it is heartbreaking when you see the children coming to school without warm clothing plus so many are hungry. Some schools locally are giving kids backpacks on Fridays packed with food for the weekend.
I'm all for sending aid to other countries especially when disaster strikes but I do think we all also need to be aware the poverty level here in our country.

[oregontocal]

I wonder the same thing Cedar when you said "Do those people know that children come to school without socks and hats and mittens right here in our own North Country?"
(No I haven't figured out the quote thing yet sorry)
I'm sure it is heartbreaking when you see the children coming to school without warm clothing plus so many are hungry. Some schools locally are giving kids backpacks on Fridays packed with food for the weekend.
I'm all for sending aid to other countries especially when disaster strikes but I do think we all also need to be aware the poverty level here in our country.

When you reply to a message, there should be a little QUOTE icon at the top right corner of the message. Just click on that icon and the message will be quoted in full. It's a little trickier to quote just a part of the message, so you might want to get comfortable with the icon procedure first.

[OutandAbout]

The Haitian president has some nerve stating that he is disappointed in the relief efforts so far. Many countries have put great effort forth right away, and were stopped by what has to be done BEFORE they can even start the aid. The airport had to be checked out and deemed worthy of landing any aircraft. The streets have to be cleared of debris before trucks can get through with supplies. His government does not have the necessary equipment to do these tasks, so other countries have to do it for him. The citizens are using their hands and whatever tools they can find to dig people out,not the government, yet HE complains the relief efforts are not fast enough. Why isn't he out there helping and showing support and comfort to the citizens instead of complaining?

Looking at the destruction of the buildings, it appears that the city will probably have to be bull dozed and start fresh, not just rebuilt. Being such a poor country, it will probably take a long time to recover from this.

Linda

[Rufflesgurl]

I always wonder also why the US is always expected to help the most. We do need help right here in our country!!! I am very sorry for the people of Haiti but I do know that assistance was on its way as soon as possible. I have seen Haitians screeming into the cameras that they do not have water/food, etc. Help is on the way that's for sure!!!

In case anyone remembers the Loma Prieta 7.0+ earthquake in CA in October 1989. Lots and lots of devastation - including one of my sisters - she and her family lost their home and were out of it for over a year. I know that I as well as family and neighbors were ready to help each other. Not real sure if any other country helped us???? We were all busy trying to get life back to normal as we know it.

Linda

[AlmostThere]

Just heard our president say the US is sending $100 Mil .

[Rufflesgurl]

Three days after the horrific earthquake - I'm totally proud of the help going to Haiti from the US!!

Linda