Little can ameliorate the unbearable images and stories filtering out of Haiti in the wake January 12’s earthquake. Countries with the capacity to contribute to Haiti’s relief efforts are assisting a devastated and enervated people.
As President Obama articulated, the United States fully commits to assist Haitians because “that is who we are, that is what we do.” The United States is offering the largest relief effort in history, doing remarkable work that dually evokes pride and heartache with every report of American's increased effort in Haiti. An announcement to send 4,000 more Marines to Port-au-Prince increases the U.S. Military presence there to 16,000 troops. In response to congestion at the Port-au-Prince airport and difficulties with trucking aid, American helicopters began dropping tens of thousands of ready-to-eat meals with thousands of gallons of water. Beyond assisting with our military, American doctors, firefighters, volunteers, and even text message donors contribute to the relief effort in Haiti.
Americans are certainly not the only ones to help. Showing its significance as a new world power, The People’s Republic of China arrived in Port-au-Prince before any other nation. China set up the first medical assistance center in the Caribbean nation’s capital and continues to distribute $2 million worth of useful aid.
This article appears in Jan 20-26, 2010.