The cameras have left Haiti, but the problems caused or exacerbated by the massive earthquake in January persist. In an effort to promote solutions to the issues facing the island nation and to keep people engaged with the rebuilding process, Helping Hands Haiti is sponsoring a forum in Brooklyn tonight titled, "Help Haiti: What We Can Do Now to Rebuild."

With the billions of dollars pledged to help Haiti, it's important that attention be paid to what happens with that money. Panelist Juny Francois, a Brooklyn attorney, called the fading media attention predictable but said its important, especially for members of the African Diaspora, to not depend on media attention alone:

"It's important that blacks in the diaspora participate and be involved because of the historical importance of Haiti as the first black independent nation. We have to restore a sense of dignity to Haiti," said Francois, a panelist. "We need to make sure there is accountability for how the billions of dollars are allocated."

April Silver of AKILA WORKSONGS Inc. said keeping those already engaged with the rebuilding effort is equally important:

"These forums preach to the choir, but they help the people doing the work get nuggets of information and data," said Silver, an event co-sponsor and panelist.

Kevin Powell, another event organizers and panelist, said long-term solutions can also benefit other nations:

"We're doing this forum, because there have been so many discussions and debates about Haiti since the tragic earthquake in January, yet it is clear that we will continue to need public forums...to stay focused on solutions, small and incremental, as well as large and profound, that may well inform other developing nations in the Caribbean and Latin America," Powell said.Some of the biggest issues facing Haiti are the relocation of people from Port-au-Prince to not only safer areas but also areas where people can resume commerce and earning money for their families. The unemployment rate before the earthquake topped 70 percent, so there is also a great need for educational and training facilities.

Psychiatric care is another issue. During a trip to Haiti a few weeks after the quake, Francois said that people's whose homes were declared safe were still sleeping in the street, fearful that another earthquake would come while they slept.

"The vast majority of people are affected psychologically," said Francois, who is heading back to Haiti in a few days.

"If I feel this traumatized, I can't wrap my brain around what people in Haiti are going through," said Silver.

Francois said the world community should be pushed to relieve all of Haiti's debts so they can start with a clean slate. Another organization, Helping Hand Haiti, has already begun a census of all the families and their needs in one tent city area named Velmas 33. There are 297 families with more than 1,000 people. The goal is to start an adopt-a-family program.

"A family in the U.S. can say, 'I can help this family in this way.' It's very specific," said Francois.

For those in New York, tonight's event is free and open to the public. It will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Brooklyn Historical Society, located at 128 Pierrepont St., Brooklyn, N.Y. The event will also be streamed live exclusively at www.kevinpowell.net, starting at 7 p.m. EST. For general information, please call 718.756.8501 or e-mail info@helphaitionline.org. For more details on ways to help Haiti, visit Help Haiti Online.