OUR VIEW: Haiti's earthquake, religion & the USA
It seems hopeless, but maybe it's not
President Barack Obama was quick to direct his administration to work toward saving lives in Haiti. He promised the full support of the United States and directed the Department of Defense, the State Department, and the United States Agency for International Development to get busy.
Why would Obama do this, while his own country’s economy is in peril? Because he’s an American, and America is the most generous and selfless country in the world — during good times and bad. As Haiti reminds us, before and after the earthquake, our worst times in the United States are the envy of the world. No other country will come close to matching us in government and private aid in the wake of this crisis, because we have produced enough to afford charity, and because we’re a country of winners.
Because of the immense compassion exhibited throughout our country’s short history, the Vatican immediately turned to the United States after the earthquake struck Haiti. The Vatican’s Pontifical Council Cor Unum asked Baltimore-based Catholic Relief Services, which has one of the largest aid operations in Haiti, to coordinate the worldwide church’s relief and recovery work.
It may be weeks before the world understands the full scope of the 7.0 earthquake, centered only 10 miles from the capital city, Port au Prince. The death toll could exceed six figures, and millions may be without food, water, clothing and shelter.
Conditions in Haiti are hard for Americans to comprehend when all is normal there. After this quake, hospitals, major government buildings and a prison are in ruins. Hundreds of thousands of people are homeless, and the country is likely to see an explosion of orphans. Thousands of Haitian-Americans have been unable to contact their relatives, because most electronic communication is down.
It seems hopeless, but Haiti will recover. The country’s best hope lies with good old fashioned religion, which will organize and fund relief by rote. Hope also lies with secular aid organizations, such as the American Red Cross, and with the United States government.
Though Americans will find countless ways to help Haitians, a good place to start is by mailing donations earmarked for Haiti to the Red Cross International Response Fund, PO Box 37243, Washington, DC 20013. To learn more, visit www.Americanredcross.org, or call 1-800-REDCROSS.
You can donate through Catholic Relief Services by sending a check to: Catholic Relief Services, P.O. Box 17090, Baltimore, MD 21203-7090. Write “Haiti earthquake” in memo area. For a solid list of reputable agencies providing immediate relief to Haiti, please click donation button. — Wayne Laugesen, editorial page editor, for the editorial board
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Editorial opinions have no connection with The Gazette’s news division, and do not express the views of all Gazette associates.
