"There are no first responders in Haiti, not the way we have come to understand it in the United States." Brian Williams, NBC News flying over Haiti.
Haitian president Rene Preval: "We don't have the capacity" to bring all the injured to hospitals
Bodies litter Haitian streets... Anderson Cooper.
Twitter is overflowing today with infomation in and out of Haiti. MSNBC said most all communications, including cell phones are down and Twitter is quickly becoming the voice for those who no longer have one.
Right after news of the quake was announced, President Obama made a statement expressing his sorrow and promise of prayers for all the people of Haiti. He was also quick to say the US would do everything in its power to help. I immediate thought of our Katrina disaster.
I realize that the inaction and bumbling of aid that came slow or was non-existent came under a different administration but can't imagine that the outcome would be much different. In times of trouble, we mean well. We really do but we are not capable of carrying out help on a large scale and we seem to do even worse when it is in our own country. From the information coming in, Haiti is unprepared in ways we in the US can't even begin to understand. I would imagine that Starbucks are far and few apart. They are a poor country so the resources are just not available. Help will have to come from the outside just to recover the dead. Rebuilding the country may be next to impossible.
Hi everyone….
Our internet is working finally. So I’m sending this to a few of you….
Everyone here is ok, but we are all very scared. The buildings held up great, but there are several houses right around us that have collapsed. Also, Hotel Cyvadier had major damage, while the brand new three story “peace of mind” hotel was demolished. Francine, one of our teenage nannies was in afternoon school and escaped while the building was collapsing around her because she was sitting by the door…however many of her classmates died yesterday. Many houses and and buildings have collapsed in Jacmel including the hospital. I know most of the news there is coming from PAP, but there is substantial loss of life here on the south coast. We need prayer for wisdom and strength. Its very chaotic here. We were able to buy diesel this morning and hopefully get more propane for cooking tomorrow. Last night was crazy…slept on the dirt in the center of the village…away from the buildings. Tonight we may venture back indoors, but that is yet to be decided. We go in and out to get necessities. The Haitian people are numb and sad to say very used to death, but this has created what seems to be a hypnotic state. I’ve never been in a situation were you feel SO helpless, fearful, and small. The tremors are coming again as i type this. Whoa!!!
Mark
– everyone
mark stuart. lead singer/Audio Adrenaline via Donald Miller's blog.
All I know about Haiti, I learned today. The 9 million people live in utter poverty. Their buildings were not earthquake proof. Most of the country would pass no kind of housing code. The reports of 3 story buildings falling like sticks is one we are hearing over and over and over. It reminds me alot of Real Life. If you are not rooted deeply when the earthquake comes, you will fall and devastation becomes your future. We need to be firmly planted, so when the harsh winds come, we may bend and bruise but not topple over. Had this earthquake have happen Somewhere in the US, thinking that the damage and loss or life would not have been nearly what we are seeing now. As the next few days and weeks roll out, we will know the full extent of the loss. There are already talking about the worst natural disaster ever.
Whatever your situation, check to see where you are planted and if there is strong footing. Deep roots, planted and lived. Your own personal Haiti could be just around the corner...
