Pat White
MIAMI – Following Haiti’s devastating earthquake on January 12th, I am puzzled and bewildered by certain happenings or non-happenings. The Dominican Republic shares the same land mass with Haiti and I have not heard any public announcement from Dominica’s government offering assistance to their very close neighbor.
Looking at the situation, it would seem to me that Dominican Republic would be the main source to channel aid to the desolate city. Where is their closest hospital to Haiti’s capital? Can’t the sick and wounded be transported there? We all know that this country’s destruction will require world wide assistance, but you would think that Haiti’s closest neighbor would be more proactive in offering immediate assistance to the earthquake victims.
What about bulldozers and cranes to lift the rubble. Efforts should have been put in place the very next day (by the Dominican Republic’s government) to get heavy equipment to the region to assist in the recovery efforts. I am just amazed that the Dominican Republic has remained so quiet in all of this. Even if you don’t have ample monetary resources, offer your country and it’s services to the United States as a means to channel in assistance to Haiti.
Its my understanding that Haiti is a make-up of rich and poor – no middle class. Port-Au- Prince (where the earthquake hit) is to the south of the country. I know that it is a poverty stricken country, but I can’t imagine there are no other Supermarkets to the north of the country that could offer assistance the hard-hit capital city. Where are the wealthy Haitians in all of this? There seems to be such a huge class division in Haiti. We know classism and racism exist everywhere, but it seems to be on a whole other level there.
Second to Medical assistance, I believe tents should be at the top of Haiti’s aid list. The people need some sort of roof over their heads and a sense of security. Tents and cots should be at the top of their list along with the food and water. I know many agencies and organizations are working very hard, but It is frustrating to many when it seems like the aid is not getting there fast enough.
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Pat White
Community Blog: Pat’s Pet Peeves Daily Blog. Sometimes Controversial – Sometimes Humorous – Always Thought Provoking.
