By Grant Gerver
Why is it that the worst humanitarian disasters always seem to hit the poorest people in the world? I'm sure there's an answer for this, but I don't have it. Maybe it's more that natural disasters do not discriminate between the rich and the poor, they can and do strike everywhere. Maybe it's the effect they have on rich versus poor countries. The aftermath is far more ravaging when there is less infrastructure, extreme poverty, and no building codes.
How much can a poor country like Haiti take? And, what are the survivors supposed to do? The unimaginable loss of life and total devastation is beyond words. Zombies walk what's left of their streets looking for loved ones, hoping against hope that they'll find who they're looking for. And, if they are able to get lucky enough to find lost relatives and friends, then what? Will they starve to death, or drink scarce and tainted water full of toxins that will kill them? The last estimates that came across the news wires said as many as 100,000 or more will lose their lives.
This disaster ranks in severity with the worst natural calamities in recent history including the 2004 Christmas tsunami, and the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China. It is sure to be one of the worst natural disasters in living memory.
The first 72-hours are the most critical. Victims buried alive in the rubble have precious little time to be found alive if they are to survive. The United States military will have to play a vital role in rescue efforts as evidenced by its participation in the Christmas tsunami and also again in the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir. But, as the war and cash-strapped nation that the U.S. is today, will we be able to make the difference that is called for? The Wall Street Journal said very succinctly, "America's power coincides with the reach of its goodness."
It's a shame that many of our financial resources are so horribly compromised by the current economic collapse, and at a time when America is also straight-jacketed by two ongoing wars. It could be a poignant reminder of what our priorities should be if only we could gain the perspective necessary to do the right things.
But, while we will be in the lead in this Haitian crisis as we so often are in many others, our strength and standing as the world's greatest super power are in doubt. Quite possibly, this Haitian earthquake can give us pause to reflect upon and reevaluate the most important things in life: the empowerment and betterment of humanity, beginning with the poorest of the poor. Using money to build rather than to destroy, giving rather than taking, improving instead of damaging, and aiming for goodwill rather than bad, can serve as the beginning of the day that men, women and children across the glove begin to move closer to one another, not farther way. A hope, a dream, and extreme wishful thinking.
The Wall Street Journal concludes: "In the long term, the best defense against future natural disasters is to promote the political and economic conditions that can move people out of the slums and shanties that easily become death traps. For now, however, we wish godspeed to the armies of relief headed for Haiti's desperate shore."
How much can a poor country like Haiti take? And, what are the survivors supposed to do? The unimaginable loss of life and total devastation is beyond words. Zombies walk what's left of their streets looking for loved ones, hoping against hope that they'll find who they're looking for. And, if they are able to get lucky enough to find lost relatives and friends, then what? Will they starve to death, or drink scarce and tainted water full of toxins that will kill them? The last estimates that came across the news wires said as many as 100,000 or more will lose their lives.
This disaster ranks in severity with the worst natural calamities in recent history including the 2004 Christmas tsunami, and the 1976 Tangshan earthquake in China. It is sure to be one of the worst natural disasters in living memory.
The first 72-hours are the most critical. Victims buried alive in the rubble have precious little time to be found alive if they are to survive. The United States military will have to play a vital role in rescue efforts as evidenced by its participation in the Christmas tsunami and also again in the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir. But, as the war and cash-strapped nation that the U.S. is today, will we be able to make the difference that is called for? The Wall Street Journal said very succinctly, "America's power coincides with the reach of its goodness."
It's a shame that many of our financial resources are so horribly compromised by the current economic collapse, and at a time when America is also straight-jacketed by two ongoing wars. It could be a poignant reminder of what our priorities should be if only we could gain the perspective necessary to do the right things.
But, while we will be in the lead in this Haitian crisis as we so often are in many others, our strength and standing as the world's greatest super power are in doubt. Quite possibly, this Haitian earthquake can give us pause to reflect upon and reevaluate the most important things in life: the empowerment and betterment of humanity, beginning with the poorest of the poor. Using money to build rather than to destroy, giving rather than taking, improving instead of damaging, and aiming for goodwill rather than bad, can serve as the beginning of the day that men, women and children across the glove begin to move closer to one another, not farther way. A hope, a dream, and extreme wishful thinking.
The Wall Street Journal concludes: "In the long term, the best defense against future natural disasters is to promote the political and economic conditions that can move people out of the slums and shanties that easily become death traps. For now, however, we wish godspeed to the armies of relief headed for Haiti's desperate shore."
