Haiti in Chaos After Earthquake

Tuesday afternoon, a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck near Haiti’s capitol Port-au-Prince, and Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive estimates that over 100,000 could be dead. The initial quake was followed by over a dozen aftershocks of magnitude 5 or higher, adding to the unbelievable destruction. This is the most powerful earthquake to hit Haiti in 200 years.

Send a message of support to the victims and the humanitarian aid workers: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/214066944

The streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti are flooded with the rubble of collapsed buildings and displaced people. Frantic Haitians are running between the heaps of the deceased, desperately searching for missing loved ones and hoping they are not trapped under the debris. The earthquake has destroyed much of the already fragile and overburdened infrastructure.

Communication and power lines are out, and the city is in an “unimaginable” state of chaos. A number of crucial buildings have collapsed, including schools, Parliament, United Nations headquarters, and the city’s largest hospital. In addition, the cities main prison has collapsed, and inmates have escaped.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere and is in dire need of aid. Organizations such as Mercy Corps, who have experience helping earthquake survivors meet their immediate needs and recover what they’ve lost, are rushing to the scene to help this desperate country. The United Nations says it will immediately release $10 million from its emergency fund to aid relief efforts. France’s Medecins san Frontieres is also at the scene, but they say that they are only able to offer basic care, and a large number of people are in critical condition. People are being searched for and pulled from the massive piles of wreckage, but once they are freed, there is nowhere to take them for care–especially with the destruction of the city’s main hospital.

The Red Cross reports that they are in need of search and rescue volunteers, field hospitals, emergency health, water purification, and telecommunications. When massive disasters strike, people must band together to help those in need. Mercy Corps, the United Nations, and the other relief organizations will surely be a tremendous help, but the impact of the individual is truly what will make a difference in helping Haiti overcome this tragedy.

You can pledge your help and send a message of support to the Haitians, and read about more ways to help Haiti in the aftermath of this catastrophe.

HAITI INFORMATION AND ACTIONS

INFORMATION

How to Help Haiti

Long-Term Health Problems Facing Haiti After Earthquake

Haiti in Chaos After Earthquake

Help Haiti: a Day Without Pay

Pat Robertson is Going to Hell

Rescue Dogs Sent to Haiti from Around the World

Haiti After the Quake + How to Help

Animal Victims in Haiti Need Your Help

PETITIONS:

Haitian Earthquake Has Destroyed the Capital City Mercy Corps

Haiti’s reconstruction by Haitians living aboard For these noble goals, we ask that the government of the country in which we reside to task our pay check $10 per pay period for the next 50 years so that we can rebuild our dear Haiti.

Pat Robertson: APOLOGIZE

Support the UN’s Response to Haiti Quake Victims United Nations Foundation

Honor UN Peacekeepers in Haiti Better World Campaign

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Elaine D.

8:59AM PST on Feb 4, 2010

really sad, god bless them, I hope they get their lives straightened out.

send a green star

Tammy S.

12:22PM PST on Jan 28, 2010

THANKS

Joanna K.

1:39AM PST on Jan 28, 2010

Check out this site to see how people in Poland are trying to help Haiti financially:
http://podarnik.gazeta.pl

1:54AM PST on Jan 25, 2010

Total solidarity is really needed

Linda M.

10:45AM PST on Jan 24, 2010

i wish i understood the delay in getting the supplies out from the airport to the people

Carol T.

1:14PM PST on Jan 23, 2010

It is important to help, but it is also important that the food and water that it's been send to them is given out. I know it's not an easy task specially considering that these people are suffering and desperate but leaving the food in the airport is not helping anybody.

Elaine H.

11:15PM PST on Jan 22, 2010

good to see how the world helps those in crisis. The info you all provide is very helpful.

Nellie K A.

4:40PM PST on Jan 20, 2010

The inmates instread of thinking of having a second chance to change their way of life, they return to barbarism, primitivism.... The people should evacuate the place and relocate to another ilsland or country because there is no where to go in Port-Au-Prince. They need medicine, first aid, food, water clothes, shelter and all other basic needs to survive or thrive.

Linda F.

10:44AM PST on Jan 20, 2010

i hope the water and food finally reach them today

Ant m.

6:57AM PST on Jan 20, 2010

God bless the all ....