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What is Happening in Haiti Now?

On January 12, 2010, an earthquake registering 7.0 on the Richter scale hit Haiti near Port-au-Prince.  More than 100,000 people have died and approximately 90% of the buildings have been destroyed.

Roughly 3 million people are in need of shelter, food, medical assistance and personal items.  The people of Haiti are receiving help from governments and individuals from around the world, including the United States of America.

What We Can Do To Help

As suggested by our National President, Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre, as a chapter and individually we can help in many ways.

First and foremost, “avoid uncoordinated efforts.”  Join the following and visit:

•  www.whithouse.gov/HaitiEarthquake  for the best ways to help the people of Haiti.
• Center for International Disaster Information
• US AID’s interactive website-Provides a list of NGO’s and Instructions on how to help.
• Contribute online to the Red Cross or donate $10 which will be charged to your cell phone bill by texting, “HAITI” to “90999”
•  www.ClintonBushHaitiFund.org

Contact your representatives in the US House of Representatives and Senate for their support to grant Temporary Protective Status (TPS) to Haitian immigrants living in Haiti: H.R. 144: Haitian Protection Act of 2009.  An excerpt introduced in the House of Representatives is as follows:

SEC.3  DESIGNATION FOR PURPOSES OF GRANTING TEMPORARY PROTECTED STATUS TO HAITIANS...

b) Aliens Eligible-In applying section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act pursuant to the designation made under this section, and subject to subsection (c)(3) of such section, an alien who is a national of Haiti is deemed to meet the requirements of subsection (c) (1) of such section only if the alien-

1) is admissible as an immigrant except as otherwise provided under subsection (c) (2) (A) of such section, and is not ineligible for temporary protected status under subsection (c) (2) (B) of such section; and

2) registers for temporary protected status in a manner that the Secretary of Homeland Security shall establish.

The Period of Designation shall begin on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall remain in effect for 18 months. This is just our the first step.  We, As the a chapter and individually we must make this an ongoing effort.

What Does the Future Hold for Haiti?

The devastation from the earthquake may give rise to new opportunities for the people of Haiti.  The island will have to be reconstructed; that is, the infrastructure (roadways, gas, water and sewer lines, electricity, transportation and telecommunication systems).  It is now time for the leaders of Haiti along with world leaders and corporations to strategically plan a viable community where people can earn wages above poverty level.   This is Haiti’s moment to get a fresh new start.

For More Information

Action Alert-Tell the IMF to Keep Its                                      

Promise to Haiti.  www.congress.org

Retrieved January 26, 2010.

 

Butler-McIntyre, C,

Deltasigmatheta.org, Urgent message from the National President Regarding Haitian Recovery Efforts, Call for Action: Immediate Steps to Support Haiti Relief Efforts. 

Retrieved  February. 6, 2010.

 

Hastings, Alice, Rep., (D-FL)

Govtrack.us-A Civic Project to track Congress: Text of H.R.144:  Haitian Protection Act of 2009,  

Retrieved January 6, 2009.

 

Clinton, W., Bush, G.,

Retrieved from Whitehouse.gov/Haiti Earthquake Relief,

Retrieved February 6, 2010.

 

Photos: LA Times. Vander Brug, Brian,  Cole , Carol.

Retrieved February 11, 2010.