Stories about Humanitarian Response from January, 2010
ONE petitions to cancel Haiti's debt
The ONE campaign is trying to collect 100,000 signatures for a petition to cancel Haiti's debt.
Haiti: Updates from outside Port-au-Prince
Six days after the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, charity workers and others continue to use online media to provide news of the situation outside Port-au-Prince, the capital.
Brazil: Viewing the Haitian earthquake from without and within
The Brazilian blogosphere is in uproar after comments made by the Haitian consul in Brazil, George Samuel Antoine. Bloggers reflect on a lack of humanity, the failures of diplomacy and the peacekeeping mission, and how to help Haiti from afar.
Haiti: Online Maps Shift from Charting Damage to Targeting Aid
Marc Herman takes a closer look at some maps that humanitarian aid responders are using to communicate the evolving situation in Haiti’s earthquake zone. Nearly a week after the disaster -- and aftershocks equal to major temblors -- the maps and satellite imagery are proving some of the most reliable information available.
Haiti: Mobile phones bring news of missing relatives
In Port-au-Prince, @guyadams , the Independent's L.A. correspondent, tweets: “People finally able to get mobile signals. Sadly, that means they're only now finding out about dead relatives…Our host just found out that three of his cousins are dead. Don't know what I can say to console him.”
Senegal offers free land to Haitian earthquake survivors
Senegalese president, Abdoulaye Wade, has been making headlines by offering free land to any Haitian earthquake survivors who wish to "return to their origins," according to a spokesperson. Online, the proposal has been received with almost universal ridicule.
Haiti: Beyond the Capital
Much of the coverage of the destruction in the earthquake's aftermath has been focused in and around Haiti's capital city, Port-au-Prince. But many other areas close to the 'quake's epicentre have also been affected, as bloggers are quick to point out...
Haiti: International clashes over humanitarian assistance
Five days after the terrible earthquake which has partly destroyed the capital city, Port-au-Prince and others like Leogane and Jacmel, it has been very difficult for rescuers, medical teams and humanitarian services to reach the population and help the survivors.
Iran: Helping Haiti
Dosieh, an Iranian blogger, proposes [fa] that Iranian opposition starts to help Haiti's surviviors.
Haiti: Waiting for water
Nearly six days after the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, a severe shortage of drinking water in Port-au-Prince hampers relief efforts. Pleas for water issued via Twitter and other media highlight the severity of the situation.
Haiti: Hoping for Miracles
“This city is more densely populated than I can fathom. The work ahead in Port and other areas is mind-numbing. I know there are tons of efforts being made — some of which you'll never get to hear about on media or blogs”: The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog is sure they...
St. Lucia, Haiti: Role of Social Media
“It is at such times of large-scale catastrophes that we get a true sense of the incredible power of the Internet and social media”: St. Lucia's Caribbean Book Blog on the Haiti earthquake.
Japan: For Haiti it may be too little, too late
In an odd twist of fate, the worst earthquake to hit Haiti in two hundred years has erupted within days of the 15th anniversary of Japan's worst earthquake since the second world war: the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995. Given the timing of the catastrophe, one might have expected a strong Japanese presence in Haiti. To the frustration of many in Japan, the opposite was in fact the case.
USA: Haitian Nationals Granted Temporary Protected Status
Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a special status given by the United States to foreign nationals from specific countries where there has been some sort of recent turmoil or trauma, such as war or an earthquake. Yesterday, the Obama administration granted TPS to Haitians for the next eighteen months. Jillian C. York looks at blog reactions.
Dominicans aiding Haitians where no UN, Red Cross
@thehaitian: “Just saw group of Dominicans in pickup. No UN. No Red Cross. crossed border with bread, water, & salami to give.”
Haiti, USA: When politics challenge compassion
In a post [Fr], Haitian writer Alain Mabanckou exposes the right-wing American radio host Rush Limbaugh, who has told his listeners that President Obama is using this catastrophe as a part of a political strategy towards minority voters and therefore asked the American people not to donate.
Haiti: Remembering Jacmel
“I couldn’t help remembering how Jacmel looked like at 4:50pm on a regular day. Normally, you have people sitting in their homes, walking in and out, working in their businesses, and so on”: how can they hear posts an update and photos from one of the hardest hit areas in...
Haiti: Pictures & Stories
Heartbreaking stories from The Livesay [Haiti] Weblog here, and photos of some of the damage from Real Hope For Haiti, here and here.
Bahamas: The Easy Way Out?
Bahamian Nicolette Bethel takes issue with the alleged statements of her Prime Minister when it comes to helping Haiti: “The message that [he] is sending is that it is all right to allow practical impediments get in the way of help. It is OK to let the fact that it’s...
Cuba, Haiti: The Time to Help
“It especially frightens me that three months from now the suffering will no longer be a headline in any newspaper and people will have ceased to feel the urgency of the Haitian drama. I am afraid that we become accustomed to the misery and harden our hearts to the tragedy,...
Sri Lanka: List of web resources for Haiti earthquake information and help
Sanjana Hattotuwa at ICT for Peacebuilding (ICT4Peace) informs that the ICT4Peace Foundation has created a page on its ICT4Peace Inventory wiki that links to a number of updated information sources to help the victims of the Haiti Earthquake.
