The swift response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti has been impressive and encouraging. Bill Clinton and George W. Bush stumping for the same thing is a good indicator of how Americans are putting aside disagreements to help our neighbors to the south.
Regardless of how often we hear of the situation on TV and online, more help is needed. New Orleans, a major U.S. city that suffered far less death and devastation after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, is still rebuilding. By a hefty margin, Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere. Frequently bombarded by hurricanes and still plagued by political violence, Haiti will not recover any quicker than New Orleans. The earthquake has affected 3 million Haitians—one third of the nation's population. With deaths now predicted at 200,000, the United Nations is calling this is the worst disaster the international organization has ever dealt with.
Haitians are in crucial need of our help. It is unfortunate that it took such a jarring catastrophe to bring extensive aid and attention to the island nation not far from Florida. But its inhabitants need our help now more than ever. It's the American thing to do. Our country has a vibrant Haitian American population. Haitians are our neighbors, both geographically and sometimes literally.
To help out a local man doing good, consider donating money, supplies or perhaps even time to Jake Wood's relief team. A former UW football player and ex-Marine, Wood is raising money and leading a relief team in Haiti. He updates activities and requests at badgerjake.blogspot.com.
Undoubtedly, spring break and summer service opportunities in Haiti will pop up this year and probably for years to come. Once Haiti becomes safer, the need for human hands will be just as great as the need for dollars. Water manes, roads and schools will take years to build back, perhaps to build for the first time.
The simplest way for UW students to donate is with our phones. The Obama administration's text messaging program to raise money for the Red Cross's relief for survivors has garnered $5 million in just over two days, according to ABC News. By texting ""HAITI"" to 90999, anyone can donate $10 to the Red Cross, a charge that will appear on their phone bills. Donations are used for such immediate needs as food, clean water and medicine, all by a trusted and established humanitarian foundation.
The program raised one million dollars within the first 24 hours. Such a response is quite representative of the Obama generation and its embrace of technology. Donations aren't just mailed by your grandma anymore. Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius appeared on ""The Colbert Report"" to explain how to donate through texts and Michelle Obama is already in TV ads doing the same. Although a multitude of other charities are helping Haitians, such a scrutinized program ensures your dollars are donated legitimately and used wisely.
We at The Daily Cardinal urge you to help however you can. We cannot stand by and watch our neighbors suffer, and all UW students should do their part to help allieviate this crisis.
For more information on other means of donation and possible volunteer opportunities, visit these charitable organizations:
-The American Red Cross at www.redcross.org
-The Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund at www.clintonbushhaitifund.org
-The United States Aid Office at www.usaid.gov/helphaiti
