Haiti

[Prawn_86]

Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti, is a Creole- and French-speaking Caribbean country. Along with the Dominican Republic, it occupies the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago. Ayiti (Land on high) was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island. The country's highest point is Pic la Selle, at 2,680 metres. The total area of Haiti is 27,750 square kilometers and its capital is Port-au-Prince.

[EverNothing]

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/3142/955724haitireliefeffort.jpg

I'm sure by now most of you are more than aware of the awful situation in Haiti as a result of an earthquake hitting the impoverished country. Although I have never travelled there myself, I have friends who have and despite it's political problems they say it is a beautiful country with friendly citizens.

After travelling around quite a bit during the last few months my savings account is anything but full but even I have managed to send $25 to the Australian Red Cross which they say will provide water sanitation kits and shelter supplies to many homeless families.

Other honorable charities include Medecins Sans Frontieres (who make makeshift medical centres in tents around the capital), Save the Children (who help orphaned or missing children) and CARE Australia (who hand out food and clothes) among many others.

Thanks.

[aimhigh]

Seeing in television it will break your heart on how they fight for foods and you can see the faith and hope of the people in spite of their situation. One of the woman interviewed after the mass outside the ruin church says there only hope now is God. If only their government official is not corrupt Haiti is one of the good place.

[kennas]

I think Haiti needs to submit to a Marshall Plan type think and allow the international community to govern them for some time in ordr to allow them to get off their knees and be able to stand on their own, which will take some time I think. They really need to establish a functioning economy to create sufficient jobs. Get all the kids in school or working. Some decent health care staffed by Haitians. etc etc etc.

[Prawn_86]

I see that the World Bank/G8 has agreed to write off Haiti's debt, which should help them slightly, although not really a direct immediate impact.