Haiti Earthquake Disaster Discussion


Log in here to voice your opinion on the fallout from the earthquake (7.2) in Haiti/DR. Feel free to voice opinions and info of all types including: Relief efforts, media coverage, updated news, etc.





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Dept. of Homeland Security: To Allow Haitian Orphans in the US



Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano, in coordination with the U.S. Department of State, today announced a humanitarian parole policy allowing orphaned children from Haiti to enter the United States temporarily on an individual basis to ensure that they receive the care they need—as part of the U.S. government’s ongoing support of international recovery efforts after last week’s earthquake.

Read More Here…

Dept. of Homeland Security: The Department’s Response in Haiti

The great tragedy unfolding in Haiti has led to an outpouring of support here at home and around the world.

As a Department, we are moving rapidly to support the search, rescue, and relief efforts in Haiti. The U.S. Coast Guard, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are leading DHS actions to support the larger assistance effort.

Four Coast Guard cutters have arrived in Haiti, in addition to a variety of Coast Guard assets that were already in the area to support military air traffic control, conduct damage assessments and rescue people in need of assistance.

The rebuilding process for the people of Haiti will undoubtedly be extremely difficult. If you are interested in providing additional support to those in need, you can visit www.whitehouse.gov/haitiearthquake to make a monetary contribution. You can also make a $10 donation to the Red Cross simply by texting the word “Haiti” to the number “90999” from your mobile phone.


Working together, our Department is making a difference for the people of Haiti during this time of tragedy.

Yours very truly,
Janet Napolitano
Secretary

On the Ground:


Screen shot 2010-01-14 at 9.20.38 AM
There is at least one of our members on the ground in Haiti, who was in country when the event occurred. He is a pilot for the UN, who is now involved in the relief effort. Here is his latest message to us.

“I am alive and safe. Many Haitians have lost their lives. A colleague of mine lost her husband and 2 of 3 daughters. She had to leave 2 daughters in the rubble to save the life of the third.
I am here as part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission. I am coordinating the air operations for rescue and humanitarian relief.”

Click to read more:









24 responses to “Haiti Earthquake Disaster Discussion”

  1. The current Minister of Tourism, Patrick Delatour is an Alum…
    Let’s all give him our support by planning a trip to Haiti in 2010 to bring some foreign exchange to the country and help boost the economy, especially after this latest disater!

  2. I can’t wait to see just how much support our country will offer people who look like us under s president who looks like us. Let’s see how many of his peers support him in this venture, especially since we know just what their opinion of him is-light-skinned black man ….. Food for thought…

  3. I had the priviledge of visiting the Beautiful country of Haiti a few months ago. One of the areas that was hit very hard is Leoganne, Haiti – the very same city that I volunteered in and acquired my new found haitian “family”. The foundation that provides alot of support to that community is http://www.negesfoundation.org/contact.htm NEGES foundation.

  4. The American Red Cross is pledging an initial $200,000 to assist communities impacted by this earthquake. They expect to provide immediate needs for food, water, temporary shelter, medical services and emotional support. They are accepting donations through their International Response Fund.

    •UNICEF has issued a statement that “Children are always the most vulnerable population in any natural disaster, and UNICEF is there for them.” UNICEF requests donations for relief for children in Haiti via their Haiti Earthquake Fund. You can also call 1-800-4UNICEF.

    •Donate through Wyclef Jean’s foundation, Yele Haiti. Text “Yele” to 501501 and $5 will be charged to your phone bill and given to relief projects through the organization.

    •Operation USA is appealing for donations of funds from the public and corporate donations in bulk of health care materials, water purification supplies and food supplements which it will ship to the region from its base in the Port of Los Angeles. Donate online at http://www.opusa.org, by phone at 1-800-678-7255 or, by check made out to Operation USA, 3617 Hayden Ave, Suite A, Culver City, CA 90232.

  5. I find it hard to believe that random chance has caused Haiti to be repeatedly punished by natural disasters, corruption, imperialism, and a host of other horrendous events. What is it that makes this country the most victimized plot of land in the western hemisphere? A curse? God’s wrath? Karma? Neglect?

    The short-term answer is monetary, but the long-term answer is much more complicated.

  6. To continue the consent by Monica about the minorities’ views of the relief effort in Haiti is interesting. Will the supposingly new FEMA hurry the relief efforts or are the American public (especially African Americans) actually DVR a relived New Orleans (or other American cities along the Gulf Coast)? How does it take a week to get water to the Superdome, and our government can send hundreds of thousands of armed soldiers out of the country in 24 hours? (Sorry for the rhetorical).

    Although and sadly, this effort will not define our president, we will certainly see if his leadership can influence FEMA to be aggressive. But who are we kidding, that earthquake may alter tourist dallors. The establishment can not have Haiti as an eye sore. If the “projects” of Haiti influences the tourist zone of Haiti, then the locals will negatively infuence the $20 billion touring industry in the Carribeans. That can not happen!! If there’s a delay, we know nothing has changed with various government agencies- despite the color of our President’s skin tone…or his speech articulation.

  7. It is so impor­tant to make a dona­tion here if you can. I would also encour­age every­one to make their dona­tions to the Amer­i­can Red Cross rather than UNICEF because of the polit­i­cal pro­vi­sions that UNICEF has been known to attach to its aid.

  8. After seeing how Red Cross lost track and had no accounting for money going to people using a cemetary as an address during Katrina. I’m not sure I trust them either.

    However, I did support Yele, as well as Doctors Without Borders. We have a number of HBCU alum (I know at least from FAMU) who work for this organization. Thankfully, there were some already stationed with Salvation Army in Haiti. The two orgs have setup a triage to help, according to a report from a SA member on MSNBC. Donate to Doctors Without Borders here http://doctorswithoutborders.org/

  9. For those in Georgia, here’s what you can do locally to assist. Just saw rescue team leave Fairfax, VA so airport is accepting mission flights.

    Hosea Feed the Hungry Joins Haiti Earthquake Relief Efforts

    Medical supplies, shoes, blankets, disinfecting wipes, water, food items desperately needed

    WHAT: Atlanta-based Hosea Feed the Hungry (HFTH), the Southeast’s largest food bank serving families and individuals directly, is mobilizing to support relief efforts following Tuesday’s deadly earthquake in Haiti. HFTH, which is partnering with Savannah-based Christian Revival Center that hosts monthly mission trips to Haiti, is asking the Atlanta community to help provide critically-needed supplies that it will load into trucks to send to Savannah for immediate distribution to Haiti.

    Items needed include:
    · Water and non-perishable food items
    · Men’s, women’s and children’s shoes of all sizes
    · Blankets
    · Vitamins – adult, children, prenatal
    · Adult & children’s pain relievers
    · Disinfecting wipes, antibiotic creams and ointments (e.g. Neosporin and triple ointment)
    · Financial contributions, which can be easily made at http://www.hoseafeedthehungry.com. .
    Every July for the last eight years HFTH staff and volunteers join Pastor Freddie and Kim Hebron of Savannah-based Christian Revival Center, doctors, pharmacists and nurses on a 10-day missions trip to care for people who have waited all year to see a doctor. The group collects medicines that will help adults and approximately 4,500 children, many orphaned by AIDS or other illnesses their parents couldn’t fight.

    “I cannot believe such a horrible thing has happened to people who were already on the brink of recovering from a devastating storm and extreme poverty,” said HFTH Executive Director Elisabeth Omilami. “I want to cry but we have got to keep a clear head so we can help.”

    HOW: For more information, please go to http://www.hoseafeedthehungry.com, call (404) 755-3353 or visit the HFTH Care Center 1035 Donnelly Ave. SW, Atlanta GA 30310 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Funds can also be sent to The Christian Revival Center Haiti Mission Resource Center, 2020 Bull Street, Savannah, Ga. 31401 Attn: Kim Hebron.

  10. It’s my prayer that we, the USA will immediately aid and assist with the request of the Officials of Haita. Even with the problems we have here at Southern University, I am sure the National Alumni Federation will participate in these endeavors. Always remember; Mans’ extremeties is Gods’ opportunity.

  11. Is there anyway we can honor our dead babies by respectfully showing them from the waist up. I know it is an insignificant thing in the grand scheme of what is going on in Haiti but please….

  12. It appears as if the top two officials for the United Nations Mission in Haiti have perished. The city has been decimated. I’m coordinating the air operations for the
    rescue and humanitarian relief efforts.

    -Gil Williams, UN Pilot, Howard Grad

  13. “I’m one of those 3500 Marines being sent to Haiti, I’ve been back in the states a little over a month now from my last deployment.”

    (via a guest)

  14. Please publish the mobil giving # of Wyclef, Bill Clinton and CNN. Every donation can help. Also, please do not publish any photos of the deceased.

  15. My heart goes out to the people especially children of Haiti who have been impacted directly and indirectly by this natural disaster. As I laid down to sleep the Lord awaken me at 2:30 a.m. and gave me a prophetic word for the people of Haiti.

    1-13-2010 = 8 (New Beginning)

    Prophetic Word to Haiti

    God is merciful, graceful, and sufficient. The tragedy that has taken place in Haiti is no accident. The Lord is displeased with the country’s practices of serving other Gods. God is a jealous God and he is the only one that needs to be served! The Lord wants the people of Haiti to turn from their wicked ways to serve the Lord. Come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. According to John 14:6 Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him. NOW is the time to seek God, REPENT for their sins, and ACCEPT Jesus Christ into their hearts. Jesus will be coming back SOON and they do not want to miss his GLORIOUS APPEARANCE! For the Lord is given the people of Haiti time to serve him and change their lives. NOW is the time! The Lord will display his grace and mercy over this country by providing to them the assistance they need. Now is the time to change and make a difference. DO NOT wait to LATE!

    Thus Said the Lord!

  16. Yolee-
    I am trying my best not to scream. You cannot be serious. Your “prophetic word” has done nothing. From my understanding ‘prophecy’ should move people in a direction of wholeness. Your “word” creates division. It also reads as if without Jesus Christ there is no way to receive His Father’s protection. Prophecy uplifts. It makes anew. It brings renewal. Telling Haitians to move from their wicked ways is ridiculous. So, your God allowed for this to happen because some Haitians are what?? What type of God do you serve? What us He a MONSTER? By the way, these Haitians that need to “change their lives” are practicing Catholics more than likely. Most Haitians are Christian…Wow!! SO, did your God allow this to happen to the wrong people?

    -Brian E. Payne

  17. Why does it appear that most people of darker skin around the globe have it so hard?

    This question has been with me for years. I just don’t understand. I need an answer

    IS something unknown working against dark people or has it been such a magnificently evil effort (human) perpetrated on these people (dark) that their lives are horribly affected by the perpetration; and now it plays out in countless ways e.g. natural disaster, famine, violence, war, etc.

    I ain’t making no sense…

    -Brian E. Payne

  18. Though the below message is dated yesterday (January 14, 2009). They have a relationship with with 3 Haitian-based, self-reliance ideological groups in Haiti. As a listener to LIB and friend of it’s founder, Keidi Obi Awadu, I have full confidence in the LIB family to help the Haitian people…without money going to the huge “overhead” that is typical of the “big name” aid workers. Well, check out the message below.

    Much respect,

    Samuel Burnham, Supporer: Joseph Littles Nguzo Saba Charter School
    ————————————————————————————————————

    A message to all members of Living In Black
    Today, January 14th, beginning at 7 AM PST, 10 AM EST, 3 PM GMT/Accra, LIBRadio, Inner Light Radio, Harambee Radio and others will simulcast our stations toward the aim of raising a single voice for our family in Haiti. The entire world is being asked to respond to this historic catastrophe.

    In our first day of response to the crisis, 79 members of our LIB Family contributed $3200 toward our LIB Haitian Relief Fund. This is a phenomenal response with donations coming from at least 5 countries. We are so proud of this vanguard making their commitment as soon as opportunity presented itself.

    There are many organizations asking for donations and some are very good, while others have too much domestic infrastructure to support for our self-interests. Please choose your donation carefully.

    Tune into this broadcast today on http://www.LIBRadio.com, http://www.LIBtv.com or http://www.LivingInBlack.com, along with our partner stations Inner Light and Harambee. We will give the best news and information on the unfolding story that can be shared along with background and future visions of what will be in place after this event has moved us all forward. We must build something permanent from this crisis.

    You can add your Glorious African Name to our list of those who pulled together in this family and helped our Haitian cousins. We have long supported Haiti through two different agents and had planned on adding a third with a trip to Haiti this March. I have spoken to people whose family homes were completely destroyed this week. Now you can help us help ourselves by using the following link to make a donation of any amount. Thank you for sharing your surplus resources with our global family at this critical time.

    Please forward this email to EVERYONE who will feel sympathy with the suffering of our people in Haiti. This too shall pass, yet our response to this is an indicator of our lifetime greater human expression.

    Visit Living In Black at: http://livinginblack.ning.com/?xg_source=msg_mes_network

  19. Whenever I think about why bad things like this happen, I think about Job in the Bible. He was a good person and had a ton of bad things happen to him. But he was a person who endured it well and reacted well to adversity. We don’t know why these things happen but it is more about how we react to these tragedies. We can come closer to God in times of trial and he can lift us up and help us make it through and become stronger. “Perseverance is a positive, active characteristic. It is not idly, passively waiting and hoping for some good thing to happen. It gives us hope by helping us realize that the righteous suffer no failure except in giving up and no longer trying.”… “Perhaps the best-known Old Testament example of perseverance is the story of Job. As you know, it narrates the afflictions that befell a righteous man and considers reasons for those afflictions. It does not entirely answer the question of why Job, or anyone, might suffer pain and sorrow, but does state clearly that affliction is not necessarily a sign of God’s anger and a punishment for sin, as Job’s friends told him. The book suggests that affliction, if not for punishment, may be for experience, discipline, and instruction (see Bible Dictionary, LDS edition of the King James Version, s.v. “Job”).(Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)

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