Major Earthquake Strikes Haiti; 100,000 Feared Dead

A magnatude 7.0 earthquake struck the capital city of Port-Au-Prince, Haiti yesterday leaving a path of devestation and destruction with more than 100,000 feared dead. The powerful earthquake has left the capital city virtually unrecognizable and lives destroyed. Many were in shock and disbelief at the strength of the earthquake and further shocked at the damage left behind. The shock has now become fear and grief as familes try to contact one another while still other families are now faced with the task of putting their loved ones to rest.


The country of Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world. Even with the presence of Foreign Aide workers, who were dispatched to the country in times of calm, Haiti has remained poor disproportionately so in times of pre and post-crisis. The U.S. and the U.N. have already committed to sending as much food, water and medicine as can be found and as can be supplied. Former President Clinton, a special envoy to Haiti went a step further and stated that while supplies, basic necessities are needed and appreciated, Haiti needs cash the most. This is where the humanitarian in all of us, the mantra of being my brother or sister's keeper comes into existence. While I understand the former President's point, the U.S. is facing a crisis that may not have been a physical earthquake but an earthquake just the same. If you are able and have the monetary means to be of financial support to Haiti and feel lead, please contribute. If you do not have the monetary means, you certainly have the time to help aid in relief efforts by volunteering with an organization who is sending food, clothes, toiletries and whatever else it can to be of help and service to Haiti. This is also a teachable lesson to children on the value and meaning of service. The point being that everyone-- yes everyone can help. Not just celebrities and not just those of Haitian decent. In the midst of disaster and crisis, please be of service to someone else.


Be mindful and fully investigate the charitable organizations to which you are giving and be wary of 'Text To Relief' efforts which tell you to text your donation. Do not send out your personal account information via text message. 'Text To Relief' has already begun to circulate on social networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. Let us help but let us be wise in how we help our brothers and sisters in Haiti.


For more information on how you can help, visit the American Red Cross online at www.redcross.org