Hasn't Haiti suffered enough? Centuries of grotesque exploitation and purposeful neglect. And most recently, the devastating earthquake. Then an inadequate relief effort that has left thousands and thousands homeless or stuck in makeshift, flimsy camps, without adequate housing, food, medicine or sanitation. An outbreak of Cholera. And now, on top of all of that, the unimaginable: a possible Hurricane this week. And a very big one at that. Hurricane Tomas.
Here's the the most recent prediction of the storm's course. Note: I couldn't embed it, but it's being continually updated, so click the link and see the predicted landfall in Haiti for later this week.
The model predicts the storm will make a hard right turn. In fact, almost all of the models say it will make a right turn directly into Haiti. And when it does, it with all of his rain and wind will devastate Haiti. This will cause loss of whatever inadequate infrastructure there might be, flooding and mudslides and further destruction. It will cause loss of life, further outbreaks of disease, loss of even temporary shelter, unavailability of food, lack of drinking water. Electricity? Forget about it. Things will be far worse than they are at this minute, if you can imagine that. Another nightmare for those living in Haiti.
I've asked before that we contribute to Doctors Without Borders, specifically for Haiti Aid. Now I'm asking again. What else can be done? What else can I or you do?
Money for specialized aid is extremely important. As important, and perhaps more important in the long run, I think is for US citizens to being to know Haiti's history and the story of its relationship to the US, in other words, the story of how it got to be the way it is now. I'm sure we all realize that Haiti didn't get to its present horrendous situation all by its self, without a lot of US and European "help." To ferret how all of this has happened, a great starting point is this dailyKos essay by allie123. It's part of a series. Each piece is important on its own. Please take the time to read them.
For now, though, please consider an immediate, small donation to Doctors Without Borders. It might save some lives in Haiti. It might alleviate some of the suffering.
Update: And please check out FishOutOfWater's excellent diary on the same topic for many maps and photos and good information.
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cross-posted from The Dream Antilles