Imagine the poorest country village or the most destitute inner city community you have ever seen. Now multiply that by ten and you just begin to imagine what most of Haiti is like. The life expectancy is 60 years; infant mortality is five times ours. There is 70% unemployment and 80% of the population live below the poverty line with the average income equivalent to US$400 per annum.
This is our neighbour, just 250 miles north, which was devastated yesterday. That little tremor we felt here was just the outer band of the strongest earthquake to hit the region in roughly 200 years. We look with horror at images from CNN, BBC and other international media. In the poorest country of this hemisphere, they build their houses from concrete for there is little wood in Haiti; forests have long been decimated by charcoal burners trying to eke out a living. But has anyone noticed, while looking at the scenes of devastation, that there is no steel? The poor quality blocks and concrete fell harder than bricks and mortar did in Jamaica 100 years ago. But we have all the wealth in the world compared to our destitute neighbour. There, it is estimated that the 7.0 earthquake did the sort of damage that might be caused by a 10.0 elsewhere!
Almost 24 hours after, aid is just starting to trickle in. Roads, where they did exist, are blocked. We hear that there are more buildings fallen than standing. Even the UN and other foreign missions cannot account for many staff members. Thousands are dead including Port au Prince’s Archbishop. We see the Presidential Palace, built by rapacious rulers from the blood of their citizens, in ruin. Hospitals, barely functioning at the best of times, also lie in ruin. There are no relief centres as schools and churches, which would normally be designated as shelters, no longer exist. The general populace try to pull the wounded from the ruins, but being untrained, they too become victims.
Food for the Poor have an unbelievably network in this part of the world. When we have a hurricane or other disaster here or in South Florida, their trucks are always first on the scene. This amazing charity maintains a network in Haiti. Please go to their website and give what you can as soon as you can. ODPEM is also sending supplies, the first JDF vessel has already left. If you wish to help call ODPEM at 906-9674 or 754-907.
Our neighbours need our help.
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