by Elma Gonzalez
On January 12, as SOH students were coping with the first day of the second semester, disaster hit the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Haiti has struggled under decades of coups, corruption and natural disasters. But it is now, with the 7Mm earthquake that hit them last Tuesday, that news radars have turned their way.
According to reports the earthquake hit west of Port Au Prince, and 33 aftershocks were recorded thereafter. Many Port Au Prince historical landmarks such as the Presidential Palace, the National Assembly building, and the Port Au Prince Cathedral were destroyed. Latest reports inform more than 70,000 people have officially been declared dead. Several countries including the United States have offered to assist Haiti now and in future reconstruction plans. President Obama has assigned former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton the task of raising funds for Haiti's recovery. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was sent to the site. The United States has agreed to donate $100million for the cause. Other countries have also donated funds; the UK is giving $32.7 million, France is giving $14.4 million, Italy announced it would forgive the $55.7 million it had loaned to Haiti (altogether the European Nation is donating $474 million). However, money is not enough. The lack of political stability and infrastructure in Haiti has made it difficult to aid the injured. Knowing this, the United States and some European nations have come together to begin plannig the reconstruction of Haiti's infrastructure and government.
If you want to help Haiti in their tragedy please: Text 'HAITI' to 90999: This service was set up by the U.S. State Department. Texting "HAITI" to the number will donate $10 to the International Red Cross, and will appear as a charge on your wireless bill; or Text 'YELE' to 501501: This will donate $5 to Yele Haiti, a non-profit organization founded by singer and Haiti native Wyclef Jean. A donation to Yele will also appear as a charge on your cell bill. You can also donate larger amounts at Yele's website.
[Information from http://www.cnn.com/ and http://www.totalbankruptcy.com/]
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