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Earthquake Hits Haïti

13 January 2010 No Comment


Tuesday evening A massive 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck the Caribbean nation of Haïti.

The extent of this devastation is still unclear but there are fears that thousands of people may have died.
This is Haïti’s worst earth quake in two centuries, hitting south of the capital Port-au-Prince on Tuesday, damaging the presidential palace, UN Head Quarters and other buildings.

Haiti

Currently a “large number” of UN personnel are reported missing by the organization and many people have spent the night outside amid fears of more aftershocks.

Describing the earthquake as a “catastrophe”, Haiti’s envoy to the US said the cost of the damage could run into billions. A number of nations, including the US, Canada, UK and Venezuela, are gearing up to send aid.

Rachmani Domersant, an operations manager with the Food for the Poor charity, told Reuters that overnight the capital was in total darkness. “You have thousands of people sitting in the streets with nowhere to go. There are people running, crying, screaming…People are trying to dig victims out with flashlights. I think hundreds of casualties would be a serious understatement.”

Earlier, bodies white with dust could be seen piled on the back of a pick-up truck as vehicles tried to ferry the injured to hospital.

Haiti

This is indeed a very difficult time for the nation of Haïti and its people. However, it is important to note the resilience of the Haïtian people and their drive to overcome challenges formed against them. Indeed, L’union Fait La Force! (Strength Through Unity!)

There are many groups, organizations and people who are banding together to provide support and assistance at this time. Amongst them is Haïtian born recording artist Wycleff Jean who is using his charitable organization Yéle Haïti to raise funds and mobilize support. Jean, was made a roving ambassador for Haïti in 2007 and provides humanitarian aid and assistance through his Yéle Haïti foundation.

By texting Yele to 501501 you will be donating $5 towards Haïti’s earthquake relief

“Your money will help with relief efforts,” he wrote on Twitter. “They need our help – please help if you can.”

Haïti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and has suffered a number of recent disasters, including four hurricanes and storms in 2008 that killed hundreds. It needs all kinds of help, from emergency and medical aid, to food aid, to the longer-term rebuilding of infrastructure.

Here is a list of organizations assisting the country. Check out the links and help where possible.

Donating via text message:

  • Text HAITI to 90999
    American Red Cross
    Donates $10
  • Text HAITI to 25383
    International Rescue Committee
    Donates $5
  • Text HAITI to 52000
    Salvation Army
    Donates $10
  • Text YELE to 501501
    Yéle
    Donates $5
  • Text HAITI to 864833
    The United Way
    Donates $5
  • Text CERF to 90999
    The United Nations Foundation
    Donates $5
  • Text DISASTER to 90999
    Compassion International
  • Text HAITI to 20222
    The Clinton Foundation
    Donates $10

Relief organizations:

Author: Yanique Williams
Source: BBC News and CNN News
Photos: BBC News and Huffington Post

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