Chowrangi

Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti (République d’Haïti ; Repiblik Ayiti) is a Haitian Creole- and French-speaking Caribbean country. Along with the Dominican Republic, it occupies the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago. Ayiti (land of high mountains) was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the mountainous western side of the island. The country’s highest point is Pic la Selle, at 2,680 metres (8,793 ft). The total area of Haiti is 27,750 square kilometres (10,714 sq mi) and its capital is Port-au-Prince. [wikipedia]

On January 12, 2010, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti and devastated the capital city Port-au-Prince. The Presidential palace, Parliament and many other important structures were destroyed including the offices of the United Nations and World Bank, along with countless homes, businesses and shanty towns. The death toll has reached 200,000 while thousands are still missing.

Communication, Infrastructure and administration were badly hit and Haiti, already weakened due to civil war and interference of foreign powers, collapsed after the earthquake. Going through the news of destruction and devastation brought back the pain we felt in 2005 when earthquake struck northern Pakistan

In the wake of the earthquake, international humanitarian organizations, NGOs, charities, individuals and governments came forward to assist in rescue and relief activities. Wikipedia has more on this.

It is our responsibility as humans and citizens of this world to help the people of Haiti. There are numerous ways to be helpful, we can donate in cash and kind. If nothing else, we can spread the word.

How to help Haiti Earthquake victims:

• Google has an extensive Crisis Response page for Haiti Earthquake.
• American Red Cross: Donations can be made online or $10 donations can be made by texting “HAITI” to 90999.
• CARE: Donations can be made online.
• Catholic Relief Services
• World Vision
• YELE Haiti Foundation: Haitian musician Wyclef Jean’s foundation is accepting online donations.
• AmeriCares
• UNICEF
• International Rescue Committee: $5 donations can also be made by texting “HAITI” to 25383
• Doctors Without Borders
• Partners in Health
• CONCERN WORLDWIDE US
• Clinton Bush Haiti Fund

Ethan Casey,an American journalist who has visited and lived in Pakistan since 1995, wrote in How Pakistanis Can Help Haiti - and Why,

“You, as Pakistanis who are also Americans, and as affluent and highly skilled professionals, can help. Please do help. Many of you are physicians, and your skills could save lives. Those of you who responded after the earthquake in Pakistan have experience that could be invaluable in Haiti…

“Thank you. Let’s make this another finest moment for the Pakistani-American community. As a Haitian woman memorably told the young Paul Farmer, “Tout moun se moun” – all people are people. We’re all human beings, fellow children of God, and we need each other. Right now, millions of suffering Haitians need us.”

Image: Telegraph and DayLife

Other posts by Kashif Aziz

• Taliban of Punjab Police - March 3rd, 2010
• Chile Earthquake, Hawaii Tsunami and Social Media - February 28th, 2010
• President Zardari apologized for childbirth in rickshaw - February 26th, 2010
• Reason of Traffic Jams in Karachi - February 19th, 2010
• Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Top Most Taliban Leader Caught in Karachi - February 16th, 2010
• PTCL Launches Largest Data Center of Pakistan - February 15th, 2010
• Reflections On Twin Blasts in Karachi - February 6th, 2010
• Aafia Siddiqui convicted, may be sentenced for 60 years - February 4th, 2010
• Dawn News going down the Drain? - January 30th, 2010
• Has Karachi Gone To Dogs? - January 27th, 2010