The AMDAL writers cover a wide range of topics, all of which we try to report on with a degree of levity. There's not a lot of jokes to be made about Haiti. So while Conan fights NBC, The Golden Globes show off beautiful people and nerds await the latest Apple announcement, real shit is going on that makes us feel small and stupid for even attempting to do our part via a blog of ~1000 followers.
Dartmouth has helped more than any other university, Anderson Cooper is scooping up bloodied kids, and George W. Bush is imploring people to "Just Send Cash"
Block mentioned a few days ago a good program to which you can donate and there are no shortage of others. I'm not looking for comments offering sympathy or bickering over which program to donate is best. Just do what you can. Now.
A note about the title picture above: In looking for an appropriate picture from NYTimes' photo gallery, I wanted to find something that would compel AMDAL'ers without tear-jerking. The picture above is of French rescue workers reacting to the death of someone they had rescued and it speaks to the helplessness I feel right now.
7 comments:
I echo Block's suggestion of Partners in Health. They have a long track record in Haiti as one of the largest nongovernmental healthcare providers on the island. Their focus on Haiti means they'll continue with relief efforts long after other organizations move on to new challenges.
From Dartmouth President and co-founder of Partners In Health Dr. Jim Yong Kim:
January 19, 2010
To the Dartmouth community:
Since last week's earthquake in Haiti, I have been astounded by our community's rapid response to this tragedy. Dartmouth people have come together, and they have reached out to their own networks. The result has been an outpouring of support from students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents, and friends.
A team of nine doctors and nurses from Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) is already on the ground providing direct care to earthquake victims at a Partners in Health (PIH) hospital in Hinche, Haiti. Another plane carrying 3,000 pounds of supplies landed in Port au Prince yesterday, and a second team of DHMC medical personnel departed from Lebanon, N.H., at 1 p.m. today. I am deeply grateful to these volunteers and the Dartmouth alumni and parents who provided the air transportation.
Dartmouth students have quickly mobilized, demonstrating that the world's troubles are their troubles. Through their organization, Students at Dartmouth for Haiti Relief (SDHR), they have raised more than $46,000 to date and are developing a long-term educational effort. Their vision is now serving as a national model, as students at other colleges and universities organize their own responses. I am so proud to see what our students are achieving through compassion, intellect, and hard work.
I have often commented on the unique spirit of collaboration at Dartmouth. Now, we are seeing how much we can accomplish by working together. While many other organizations are still trying to set relief efforts in motion, the alliance between Dartmouth College, Dartmouth Medical School, DHMC, and PIH has enabled us to quickly get help to where it is most needed. Regular updates on Dartmouth's response will be posted on our website.
Many of you have given to relief agencies, including Partners in Health. I thank you for demonstrating such generosity even as we address financial challenges here in Hanover.
Through next week, Dartmouth is celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. In 1963, King wrote that, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Our response to Haiti is focused on disaster relief, but we're also working to build social justice for a country that has been allowed to suffer without it for too long.
Sincerely,
Jim Yong Kim
President, Dartmouth College
How much did Haiti give after Katrina?
The answer seems to be at least $36,000 dollars from the Haitian government to Habitat for Humanity, which was accepted in October 2005. Not much to be sure, but not bad for the poorest country in the western Hemisphere.
www.citizensforethics.org/node/29570
This probably isn't the most appropriate venue, so you'll have to forgive me... Congrats to Scott Brown and his team - he ran an amazing campaign.
Anon: "How much did Haiti give after Katrina?"
Way to miss the point. Who cares?
Welcome to the site NC; this is obviously the first anon post you have read.
I see your point, the question may in fact be who cares about Haiti? Or, why does your chin look like a butt?
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