It seems international crises strike over our breaks; Haiti’s earthquake is by no means the beginning of the trend. Last summer there was the coup in Honduras and the fraudulent elections in Iran, the winter before that was the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, and we can’t forget the Tsunami in the Indian Ocean. The list goes on.
Just because crises keep happening does not mean we should take them lightly, but we should be prepared to help.
Some of the talking heads of cable “news” have politicized the event. They’ve made news by their outlandish comments rather than talking about the tragedy. Unfortunately, stories about deals with the devil and “that’s what they get” comments seem to be getting as much coverage as the disaster itself.
Others have already begun calling Haiti “Obama’s New Orleans,” as though enough time has passed for the crisis to officially be declared botched. Unfortunately, it seems natural disasters and tragedies have to be politicized today.
But rather than bickering about pundits and politics, we should be saving our change and donating money to legitimately helpful organizations.
There are many stories about fake relief organizations pocketing money rather than using it to help Haitians whose homes were destroyed in this earthquake. Do not let this deter you from donating. Just make sure whichever relief organization you donate to is legitimately helping.
Three great organizations include:
The Red Cross/Crescent has done an excellent job of stepping up and leading the humanitarian relief. They have been leaders both on the ground and in the technology of donations.
Partners in Health has been in Haiti for 20 years and has been providing health care for Haitians. They are uniquely entrenched to provide medical aid to Haitians in need.
Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres) has already sent more than 800 doctors to Haiti. They’ve treated more than 3,000 people and performed more than 500 surgeries.
We should be helping those who need it, not bickering about politics or finding excuses for apathy. There’s been a tragedy, and we should all be trying to help.
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TheJR 2 years, 4 months ago
I like Partners in Health best because they operate with low overhead and they have been involved in Haiti long before the earthquake. It seems you get the most out of your dollar through that organization.
tayl4008 2 years, 4 months ago
This is such like the daily to say something ridiculous like this. What cable "news" networks are you watching? I haven't seen anything like the crap you're talking about. All I see are incredible stories on all the stations on the rescue efforts of those trying to help in Haiti...good grief guys.
mustafa 2 years, 4 months ago
If we give aid, it should go to the human suffering but not to rebuilding Haiti. There was nothing to rebuild in the first place.
Right now, it is party-time amid the fallen structure. Haiti's people have a fever that needs to run itself out. We should lay offshore until they become desperate and too weak to riot. Only then will we be able to effect real change (we can believe in) down there.
Helping is good. But they have their problems we have ours. Perhaps we should help each other. We could round up all the Haitian gang members and send them back to their homeland to build for the future