Haiti Earthquake
The earth may continue to shake under Haiti, at least 40 aftershocks since the 7.0 Richter that still has to yield or for that matter identify most of its victims. The longer term consequences will be as momentous for the survivors in Haiti and the global community, particularly the United Nations. Perhaps it is premature to speak of the future of Haiti, but that is what holds out hope for the survivors and also pays the proper tribute to those that have perished, the thousands of Haitians and maybe as many as hundreds working under United Nations flag and mandate before the quake to help Haiti restore stability and reach self-reliance.
First now, Save Lives
First responders from around the world currently are doing their best to save the living still trapped. It is by far the paramount job for the next week plus, and we all have a responsibility to assist in that effort. Below are only some of the organizations/efforts committing assistance to Haiti earthquake relief. (UN, MTV, Hard Rock Cafes and Yele Haiti are only a sample of organizations committed to immediate relief assistance, all in their unique ways: MTV is organizing concert with Wyclef Jean and George Clooney, logistics tentative but scheduled for January 22, 2010. Hard Rock is making it easier for guests to donate as well, putting together music and other events to directly support).
Compared to the massive loss of life and immense suffering of the Haitian people, the tragedy’s toll upon the United Nations and its personnel in the country may be overshadowed. However, even without clear casualty figures, tens killed and perhaps as many as 200 hundred missing and probably still buried, the UN has suffered one of its more, probably the most horrific losses. This touches the UN member states, from Brazil to Jordan, that have been contributing the peacekeepers to the key personnel from UN Headquarters in NY City leading the mission.
The United Nations Suffers Perhaps its Worst Tragedy, (in terms of numbers of Lives Lost)
The tragedy is shared by Haiti, the United Nations, and UN member states that have contributed personnel. The numbers of Haitians lost cannot be compared, but the unprecedented nature and impact of the tragedy is unique for both Haiti and the UN. Each life at risk or lost deserves to be seen in its unique attributes, contributions and potential. Fighting to save every life that still can be pulled out of the ruins or healed in the clinics, helps us see the people at risk with a truly human face and not just as numbers. That is the “mercy” that slowly becomes evident as the immediate horror of the tragedy flows into a broader empathy and dedication to see the people of Haiti not only overcome this tragedy but the longer term deprivation that created the need for the UN Mission in Haiti.
History of Exploitation and Deprivation that Must be Changed
For much of its history as a sovereign state and before then as a colonial land, Haiti has been witness to inhuman exploitation of its imported slaves and eradication of indigenous populations. Haiti though is not destined to this indefinite suffering or status as “poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.” Haitians, under French flag, fought alongside Americans for the liberation of the United States during the American Revolution and then became the second country in the Western Hemisphere to free itself of colonial rule.
Not to Forget Until on Road to Rehabilitation & Self- Reliance
The immediate horror and drama of the tragedy will soon begin to wane in the media coverage. There will be a tendency to forget or just refocus on the next dramatic event wherever else on the globe that will capture the media attention. Haiti must not be allowed to sink into hopelessness and the feeling that it is being again forgotten. The lives sacrificed, Haitian and in the name of the United Nations, must serve as moral and political reminder that the job is only starting once the first responders have finished.
Almost immediately from rescuing people from collapsed structures, the focus will have to be on food and water. Disease is a real risk. Risks must be alleviated from hygiene to rotting corpses. Immunization going into the immediate future needs to be accelerated and complement work already done, (see GAVI.org).
Rehabilitation is both regarding the country and individuals. Shelter must be immediately made available to replace housing lost. Those physically traumatized, particularly children must be offered the means, or at least the example and hope that the quake will not haunt their bodies as well as memory for a lifetime. At the level of society and individual, rehabilitation is about restoring means, self-reliance and empowerment; (see about restoring and rehabilitating lives of children through Global Medical Relief Fund and its partners including Shriners Children’s Hospitals, Long Island Plastic Surgeons Group at gmrfchildren.org ).
Now Linked by Tragedy, in Future by Success of Recovery
It is human nature to seek purpose when nature or God, take your choice, shakes our confidence that we are complete masters over our environment and future. Trying to control quakes, tsunamis, hurricanes or even traffic accidents may be beyond our control, to some extent an illusion. What we do in response though is within our power: How we prepare for such future shakings to our existence and, most importantly how we recover and help others from this infliction.
In the neighborhood, the Caribbean, the immediate impulse to help is more than encouraging for the moment. Within the United States, the effort to assist is being coordinated at several levels of government, including the local Staten Island/Brooklyn Congressman Mike McMahon, (who is coordinating on behalf of the broader Congressional delegation, see at http://mcmahon.house.gov/ ).
The United Nations will also not want to allow that this tragedy inflicted upon its global body and member states pass without consequence for commitment and action to improve Haiti’s lot for the future. Former President Bill Clinton, already as UN Special Representative for Haiti, can be an amazingly gifted catalyst whose skills and relationships will be welcome along with the UN Secretary General and his office.
The outcome of this outpouring of concern and empathy for Haiti will have to be judged in the results, probably in the months and even years to come. Undoubtedly though, the United Nations and Haiti will be ever more intertwined by the human losses suffered and the recovery and rehabilitation realized.
Below are some links for Relief Assistance:
http://www.yele.org/updates/2010/1/14/please-donate.html
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1629724/20100114/jean_wyclef.jhtml
