The January 12, 2010
earthquake was probably the greatest natural disaster in
recent memory. 
One year later approximately 1 million people continue
to live under unsanitary conditions in overcrowded tent
cities in Port-au-Prince. The entire region functions
among rubble and debris. The grim situation is
exacerbated by a cholera outbreak, as well as women and
children reported at serious risk of sexual assaults.
Despite the extraordinary outpouring of generosity, as
well as disbursement of immediate humanitarian and
recovery assistance, it is evident that a great deal
more needs to be done.
The Haitian people acknowledge the granting of Temporary
Protected Status to the large number of undocumented
from Haiti who were in the US prior to January 12, 2010.
We pray that TPS will be continually extended until such
time that Haiti enters recovery. Survivors of the
earthquake who were blessed by means of entering this
country have benefited from the Deferred Action Status
process that has been implemented. Many individuals who
had been severely injured were beneficiaries of special
humanitarian visas and are currently receiving medical
care in the states.
On the Haitian homefront we acknowledge a billion or
more dollars has been spent in humanitarian aid for the
provision of food, medical care, shelter, and clean
water. More money was spent on maintaining order in the
midst of the chaos. Sewage canals were drained thus
reducing the potential damage hurricane Tomas could have
caused. Tons of rubble have already been removed even
though millions more still lay on the ground. Some
Haitian people have been engaged in cash for work
programs clearing rubble, cleaning out the sewerage
systems, and in the building of temporary shelters.
We are grateful to the international community for their
generous donation of approximately $5 billion for
recovery and reconstruction efforts. Unfortunately,
however, by most accounts the funds were targeted to
large NGO’s and it appears there is a large disparity
between what was received and what is anticipated to be
spent. There exist many reputable community based
service providers who could have done more had they been
given access to donated funds.
The immediate needs in Haiti are overwhelming. We, in
the diaspora, continue to do our part in contributing
from our savings as well as collecting donations from
friends and colleagues.
“It takes a village” to rebuild – this village includes
the Haitian people, the Diaspora and the international
community. Together we can rebuild Haiti and place the
country on a path to social and economic progress.
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How you can
help:
In addition to providing emergency relief,
these organizations are providing aid to those
in need: |
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