2010 Haitian Earthquake Not Receiving Attention Needed

With lots of people focused on the relief efforts in Haiti after the earthquake, there are donations being given, but sometimes making monetary donations is not enough. Haiti is in total disarray and there is a disconnect between the people giving (perhaps to feel they've done some good, or to sate their conscience) and those stuck in crisis. It's true that in general, something is better than nothing. And what have I done? Well, I suppose nothing, except being a drop in the bucket of voices to buzz about this topic and add my two cents, perhaps swelling the awareness in some small way. But from my perspective, and what I've witnessed, the 2010 Haitian earthquake situation is not being helped the way it truly needs-- much like Hurricane Katrina. The difference, unfortunately, is that with Haiti being far enough away from America (and the world) for us to not have to look it in the face, it's easy for us to give $5 and assume they're cool. We all have the luxury of avoidance, which is shameful to use. I want to call attention to the current events taking place which appear to fall short of providing Haitians with what the really need in their time of despair.

Solar-powered Bibles sent to Haiti. You can read about it here from USA today. Picture this: stench fills the streets and villages. Bodies waiting for rescue are being dug out of the rubble by desperate bleeding hands, salvaged too late. Babies cry out in confusion, pain, hunger, as nearest relatives sit limp with broken bones, limbs, and wills. Anarchy, crime, looting, and chaos are everywhere. Medical care and food and rescue are in high demand and seem to miss many. Now imagine being handed a solar-powered audio Bible in your native Creole. Yes, the sun still shines on Haiti, despite their notoriously devilish past (see Tragedy in Haiti: Pat Robertson and the Satan Pact Machine Vs. Earthquake Science Parts One and Two). Unfortunately the sun cannot rebuild their homes, patch their wounds, or cradle their children-- it can only power words which recite to them what they likely already know well (they majority of Haiti is Christian) and intensify the odor of decay on what must feel like Hell on earth. What a glorious way to let a nation know they are forgotten. Imagine your audio Bible being the last thing you hear. The argument by some was that religion sustains one in their darkest hour. You know what sustains people even better than religion? Food, shelter, medical care. I doubt any one of those good Samaritans have ever been in severe need in their lives, and if they were, I wonder how Christian their language to you would be if you gave them a Bible.

Wyclef Jean comes under fire for misusing funds for Haiti. Native Haitian musician Wyclef Jean has always held the people of Haiti close to his heart. On a news conference on Monday, as reported by DNA Info, he cried as he answered to the rumors that his charity, Yele Haiti Foundation, was misusing its funds. He reported how an audit showed they were clean after it was detailed that over a third of the funds went to miscellaneous expenses. He urged Haiti to hang on a little longer, saying they'd be back on the ground by Saturday. I sympathize with Wyclef, I really do. I think he is genuine and heartfelt in his expressions. The only problem is, when you're dying now, hanging on for a few days could be an eternity. Indeed, it could be the difference between life and death. He is planning an aid telethon with all the big names you'd expect in participation (like Bono), but isn't that what rich celebrities always do when a disaster happens? Why does the world need all the money of the poor tomorrow when the money of the wealthy could be given today?

And the cruises go on to Haiti, despite nearby ruin. Talk about your all-time snubs. Only 60 miles away from utter wreckage, luxury cruises continue to dock and let the well-off enjoy Haiti's immaculate beaches without giving a second thought to its citizens dying (as detailed here in The Huffington Post). Royal Caribbean has defended their position, and while docking they have given food and relief pallets and even swore to donate all the proceeds from those cruises to the relief effort in Haiti. I've heard some state that people not carrying on with their cruises to Haiti would not in any way help the country's damages, either. Is this a justification to go on with the cruises? I think it would be putting it lightly to describe it as pouring salt on the wound that is Haiti. Can you imagine vacationers donating a few items and promising to send money, then barbecuing and tanning on your beaches while your family lay sick, injured, hungry and dying? Then these people have the comfort of re-boarding their magnificent cruise ships and sailing away, while the Haitians remain and suffer. Then again, since Haiti was in such a poor state to begin with, I suppose any of these cruises to Haiti to take advantage of their pristine beaches were a thoughtless, rich and careless move. Even if Haiti were not ravaged by an earthquake, knowing that people just a car ride away are suffering while you enjoy the nice side of their native land is like a slap in the face. Way to go, Royal Caribbean.

I wrote this in part because of a donation promised by Associated Content for my contribution. If this gets enough readership, they promise to add even more money in donations to the Haitian relief efforts. This is still but a drop in the bucket, amidst our $5 contributions, or voices buzzing about the disaster, our hearts hoping but still our bodies being able to lay in a bed at night, safe and healthy. Bibles will not save Haiti, telethons will not save Haiti, and back-tracking cruise ships will not save Haiti. The real deal is this-- people with travel and protection means, medical expertise, disaster clean-up abilities, and big time money could save Haiti. A handful of millionaires or billionaires could pick that country and its people up and fix them as good as new (those who still remain, that is), building a whole new Haiti and providing for Haitians in a way in which they've never lived or dreamed. They've been in need of that kind of aid for ages, and it takes an earthquake for us to start the most minor of rescuing? But, like Katrina, it is more than likely that people will instead opt to pat themselves on the backs for the Bibles, telethons, and token trinkets. Like Hurricane Katrina, the already poor and destitute and black are forgotten. What do you think the situation would be like right now if this happened in Beverly Hills? I applaud the heroes on the ground in Haiti right now doing what they can. I call for all those capable of rebuilding Haiti now to please give of yourself, knowing that you wouldn't want to be handed that Bible or wait another day if you were in their shoes.