Lest We Forget

I have had the privilege of traveling to the beautiful country of Haiti twice. Once was with a group from our church to help with the construction of a new church on the mainland. The second time was with my fellow nursing classmates, to work in a hospital on the small island of La Gonaives. In the wake of horrible destruction caused by Hurricane Ike in south Texas last week... I find it interesting that we hear next to nothing about the small island countries that it first roared through before arriving in the Galveston, TX. Granted... we are most interested in news that directly affects our own countries... but Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Knowing the destruction that has occurred here, considering the strength and power of America... have many stopped to even think about or inquire on what has happened elsewhere? Allow me to enlighten:

Hurricanes Fay, Gustav and Hanna all passed directly through Haiti before Ike followed as a Category 4 storm. It was a Cat 2 when it hit Texas... so just imagine.

Ike destroyed the bridges that transported people to and from the main island to the smaller ones (Gonaives included), thus cutting off transport of food and medical services. (When we worked in the hospital in Gonaives, many people would travel all day by foot and boat to get there for various services because it was all that was available.)

At least 1,000 are dead and those numbers are likely low since bodies are being disposed of quickly into mass graves.

Over 1 million (12% of the country's population) have been left homeless and food is scarce.

Prior to Ike hitting... many attempted to leave the island of Gonaives by swimming or wading through flood waters to cities 45 miles south.

The storm has destroyed crops and livestock... they struggled to survive before the storms came through. Now they are left with less than the nothing they had before.

We think $4/gallon is bad... gas in Haiti right now costs $12.00/gallon. Those who still have the capability of traveling will likely not be able to afford it. Patients will not be able to receive treatment or medications.

For many - their only resources for any food at all have been obliterated. Just try and wrap your brain around that. Water borne diseases already existed... just imagine what will happen now. Because the bridges were destroyed... there is NO access to the three major cities separate from the mainland... relief efforts are desperately trying to get to people by boat and air... but very few have been successful. Lots of food and relief has made it's way into the country... but since the bridges are out, the outer communities are hardly seeing any of it.

President Rene Preval told The Miami Herald: "This is Katrina in the entire country, but without the means that Louisiana had."

If we do nothing else, please pray for this country. There are any number of organizations that can easily be found if you wish to do more financially. World Hope International is a great one to start with. The missionary Doctor who we worked with at the hospital in Haiti has a blog - and she is occasionally including updates on the situation where they are.

Don't mean to minimize the events locally... but I can't help but feel like we are forgetting many that are far worse off. And not to sound bitter... but the answer of so many who chose to ignore warnings to evacuate Galveston was simply, "we had nowhere to go". With all due respect... the people of Haiti had "nowhere to go". I wouldn't wish this destruction on anyone... but a small spiteful side of me wishes we would direct our primary assistance to those who probably would have gladly hopped in a car or bus, and sat in traffic for 12 hours if it had been at all possible.

I'll get off my soapbox now... sorry for the sarcasm...