The nations of the world were expected to come together in February for the Winter Olympics. The Olympics, being one of only two world events that erases differences and unites nations as one in a singular effort. The other event – disaster - New Orleans, 9/11, China Earthquakes, vulcanic erruptions …
It is a shame that for many, it takes larger than life occurrences to overshadow our own needs and setbacks. It takes monumental disaster to awaken us from our comfort and security. The earthquake in Haiti is just that, a monumental disaster. The death toll will be huge. But the toll on the survivors will be even greater!
I watch the news and look online, seeing the seach and rescue teams from France, China, America, Italy, Taiwan, Britain, Cuba …… all arriving at the tiny airport of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Each nation’s team is dressed in their respective uniforms, and I can’t help but be reminded of the Olympic opening ceremonies. Although it will be quite some time before there are any celebrations, it is comforting to see nation after nation come together in a common purpose.
So, please be a small part or something large! Don’t let the thought of those credit card balances, run up by holiday shopping, overshadow your desire to give and donate to the people of Haiti. Consider it just one last Christmas or Holiday gift you needed to buy! Contribute to any of the many disaster relief organizations today!
If I can make it easier, go to www.MadisonNJ.US and click on the word Haiti beneath the American Red Cross symbol, and please give to the Red Cross. Thank you!
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Meanwhile, China dispatched a chartered plane loaded up with 10 tons of tents, food, medical equipment and sniffer dogs that arrived in Haiti on Thursday. Accompanying the emergency materials were a 60-member earthquake relief team that had firsthand experience in the country’s own quake disaster two years ago.
The world had sped to Beijing’s aid during its May 2008 quake, which had rumbled across a huge swath of southwestern China, leaving almost 90,000 people dead or missing.
“Most of the members are very experienced,” Liu Xiangyang, deputy chief of the National Earthquake Disaster Emergency Rescue Team, told the official Xinhua News Agency before their departure. China’s Red Cross has also offered emergency funding of $1 million to Haiti.
Meanwhile, Australia pledged an initial $9.3 million for emergency humanitarian relief and reconstruction assistance, with about half going for emergency water, food and shelter, while the remainder will be for rehabilitation efforts.
Japan will provide up to $5 million in aid, along with $330,000 worth of tents and blankets, a Foreign Ministry official said. A four-member fact-finding mission will also be sent to determine what Japan can do to help.
South Korea will give emergency humanitarian aid worth $1 million, its Foreign Ministry spokesman Kim Young-sun said, and is considering sending rescue teams.
The devastation is widespread, with the sheer number of dead bodies expected to pose a health and safety problem. The World Health Organization said it had sent specialists to help clear the city of corpses, and the International Red Cross was sending a plane Thursday loaded mainly with body bags.
The European Commission has approved $4.37 million while member states Spain, the Netherlands and Germany promised millions more.
Rescue teams from France and Switzerland were on their way, while Spain dispatched three planeloads of rescuers and 100 tons of tents, blankets and cooking kits.
The Israeli army sent in two planeloads of rescue staff and equipment to set up a field hospital in Haiti that can serve up to 500 people a day. The crew will include 220 rescue workers, including 40 military doctors and 24 nurses.
Israel was sending in an elite Army rescue unit of engineers and doctors.
The Red Cross federation has asked for $10 million in emergency donations to help fund its efforts in Haiti. The IFRC, which represents national Red Cross societies around the world, said it is still gauging the needs of people hit by the quake and will deploy specialists in relief coordination, water and sanitation, shelter, telecommunications and health as well as set up a field hospital.
The International Committee of the Red Cross has launched a dedicated Web site to help Haitians register and find missing loved ones.
Canada sent a military reconnaissance team to assess and planned an initial donation of $4.8 million, with more aid to flow after reports to Ottawa by military reconnaissance team.
FairlyUnbalanced
