Does the 2010 Haitian Earthquake Merit Our Donations?

In January of 2010, we learned of a catastrophic earthquake in the island nation of Haiti. Why is it called a catastrophe instead of a disaster?

According to Kathleen Tierney, director of the University of Colorado's Natural Hazard Center, in a disaster a city or nation's social system breaks down. In a catastrophe, not only the social system breaks down but also the infrastructure that usually responds to a disaster.

"Maybe that's what we can hope for: that we can turn a catastrophe into a garden variety disaster as quickly as possible," Tierney said about post-earthquake Haiti in a story from the Associated Press.¹

Charity Begins at Home?

People in many nations around the world, including the United States, are feeling battered and bruised from the economic turmoil of 2009. More than most years, perhaps, there is a feeling in 2010 that we need to save our charitable resources for our own citizens even though early reports indicate that the Haitian earthquake death toll is well over 100,000.

This brings to mind a song that was popular in early 1970. After describing a poor young girl in Calcutta who will never grow old because of flies that swarm the marketplace and spread disease, songwriter John Stewart noted the reach of a worldwide headline. What did that girl in Calcutta hear about on a July afternoon?: "She heard a man named Armstrong had walked upon the moon.^2"

Neil Armstrong moonwalked in July of 1969. Space exploration was and continues to be important for many reasons and is worth the dollars invested in it. But problems continue here on Earth that also deserve our attention. In the early 1970s, a popular rhetorical question was, "If we can put a man on the moon, why can't we (fill in the blank with your favorite unaccomplished task)?" It's a cliché now, but it's still a good question.

Photos of Earth from space have shown us what a beautiful, and small, planet we inhabit. We need to think globally about trade but also about international relief because we all have a stake in what happens to the neighbors beyond our borders.

In 2010, the Haitian earthquake is a catastrophe and that deserves our attention and donations of time, supplies and money.

Why United States Citizens Show Global Generousity

There are Haitian children who have seen their siblings and parents crushed beneath the rubble of destroyed homes. Survivors in Haiti, old and young, need clean water as well as food and basic medical treatment.

There are people in the United States who need help, too, but despite the delayed national response to Hurricane Katrina we generally have a functioning government and infrastructure. We have social programs that provide food to the neediest of our children and adults. It isn't a perfect system by any means, but this country still offers hope and help to poor citizens in times of both natural and economic disaster. In addition to aid provided by government agencies, organizations such as the Salvation Army and local churches provide some essential services to those in need of food, clothing and shelter.

In Haiti, far less was available before the earthquake; even less is available now.

At the end of the song "Armstrong," John Stewart suggested that ancient aliens from far away might have appreciated the interconnectedness of people on Earth when, just as humans would someday watch Neil Armstrong walk on the Moon...they watched Adam walk upon the Earth.

How to Take Action

Even if it is only a few dollars, consider donating something to help the survivors of the 2010 Haitian earthquake. Think of it as giving money to distant relatives in need; for if you look back far enough the Haitians are, no matter what your ancestry may be, our relatives as well as our neighbors.

If you aren't sure where to send a donation, the "Charity Navigator" Web site⁴ might give you some ideas. Click here.

Resources

1. Seth Borenstein, AP Science Writer, "Flood of aid to Haiti looks like chaos, but normal." Associated Press.

2. John Stewart, Lyrics to "Armstrong." LyricsBay; Alfred Music Publishing Co. Inc.

3. Reg Lindsay singing "Armstrong." YouTube.

4. Charity Navigator Web site.

5. Various print, TV, radio and internet reports of conditions in Haiti just after earthquake 01/2010.