President Barack Obama used his bully pulpit to remind Americans that just because Haiti is slipped off the front page of newspapers, it doesn't mean the quake-ravaged island isn't in deep trouble and in urgent need of massive assistance.
After meeting with Haitian President Rene Preval at the Oval Office, Obama reminded the world that the coming rainy season could launch a "second disaster," since so many Haitians remain without shelter.
It's a great message from President Obama.
Whether it will make a difference on the ground remains to be seen, but with the ongoing health care reform saga, the Chilean earthquake and the short attention span of news media providers, it is easy to understand how the plight of Haitians can become a distant memory for some.
Nearly a quarter million people died in the Jan. 12 earthquake.
Preval seemed to acknowledge that Obama's words might not trigger a flood of additional support from Americans but pointed to the important mental boost Obama's words will have on the Haitian people:
"I thank you not only for the material support but the moral support, the psychological support that made us know we were not alone," Preval said.
Obama's words of support are bumping up against the reality that the United States will eventually have to scale back rescue operations there; the U.S. military will be reducing the number of troops from 20,000 to about 8,000 in the coming weeks.
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By: Hernot Versaint on 4/23/2010 5:57PM
I really do not know in what language to be grateful towards all the great-hearted people who are still helping Haiti! On the other hand, I would personally suggest to the U.S and other Governments, as well the concerned Groups, to keep eyes on Mr. Rene Preval until he leaves office, because he may have in mind to pass the power to another incapable face of his lasting administration; Then we, the Haitian citizens are deeply exhausted of the alternative turms that Mr. Preval is spending on the hope of this unfortunate nation. No one can deny that this momentum requires a serious team for the updated situations in Haiti; Therefore, please keep eyes on Haiti!!!
Hernot Versaint
http://www.artnook.weebly.com/
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By: bobalooie on 3/11/2010 4:48PM
It was disheartening recently to see a program about Haiti. It's focus was placed on Haiti's younger people. With a country in shambles, the people featured in the program were sitting around waiting for help. Smoking dope, and hangin out, waiting for help. I have a hard time understanding how these folks can live in a cardboard box, complain about how devastated they are, and at the same time do absolutely nothing to help themselves! One of the responses from this particular group was that they weren't going to do anything until they get paid to do it. These people hate their country, not willing to lift a finger to help out and improve things. Content to be sitting on their collective asses, smoking dope, and waiting for a handout. It's disgusting. Until the world sees them doing something to get themselves free of this burden, there won't be anybody willing to invest their time and/or money just to perpetuate their false self image of entitlement. I'd sooner send money to Chile. At least their trying to dig out, and they're not getting paid to do it.
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By: MS PEGGY on 3/11/2010 5:04PM
I think natural or nature is the best course of action in Haiti in the form of grass and trees versus concrete, brick and mortar. Even plastic would be better than concrete. I assume the death toll was so high due to the buildings collapsing and burying people alive. Skyscrapers aren't the most efficient means of shelter and housing in some places even though there is a population there as dense as New York City. I think even trailer homes would be better than bricks and concrete. This is also the time to build a stable and solid infrastructure to bring in utilities and cable lines too. How was the technology in Haiti? Were they up-to-date are still back woods? Since they were amongst the poorest nations of the world, I'll assume that they did not have much advanced technology and communications devices available to the common person like we do in this country.
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