Haiti: Another selfless effort

More than a week after the disastrous 7.0 earthquake in Haiti, people are still being pulled out of the rubble alive.

Many gave those trapped in the countless destroyed buildings only 72 hours survival time because of the heat and humidity of Haiti.

The survivors highlight the power of the will to live.

Time, at least officially, has run out for those still trapped. The multinational emergency operations in Haiti have shifted from rescue to care for those injured and suffering. Hundreds of thousands of Haitians still lack shelter, food and water. The spread of disease is the new worry.

Food, water and medical supplies are desperately needed.

With the earthquake and the subsequent after shocks, many of which were strong earthquakes in themselves, the capital city of Port-au-Prince and many smaller cities have been have been virtually destroyed.

Estimates put the death toll at nearly a quarter of a million with millions homeless. Civil disorder is as big a problem as the destruction itself.

Before the earthquake, corruption, ineptness, greed and international politics turned the country from the jewel of the Caribbean to a social, political and financial disaster. The earthquake of last week seems to have finished off whatever hope the Haitians may have secretly held for a better life.

The magnitude of the quake would have devastated any city or region. Even cities prepared for earthquakes would have been damaged in such a quake. The crimes and neglect perpetrated on Haiti before the earthquake only made the disaster worse. The infrastructure was decrepit. The government services were inadequate. The police and the military were suspect. The political leadership was absent.

The already suffering people of Haiti were not left to suffer alone. Although hampered by conditions, international aid soon started to arrive. Even the massive outpouring of assistance was unable to quickly deal with such widespread destruction, death and disruption. In many respects, the international effort is still taking shape.

The United States is in the forefront of the international effort. Even in the midst of criticism and confusion, chants of “USA” could be heard. More aid to the stricken country and the suffering people of Haiti is on the way from America.

Selflessly meeting such world calamities is something we do well. It is something in which we should take pride and satisfaction.

Gordon Forgey

Publisher