As the global community digs deep to donate funds to the people of Haiti, observers say the country is deteriorating fast. Among the most urgent needs are food and water.
Rescue efforts continue to be hampered by the scale of devastation and the destruction of infrastructure in the aftermath of the massive earthquake which hit the capital, Port-au-Prince, on Jan. 12.
Haiti’s Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aime says the death toll could reach 200,000 and observers are warning of a breakdown in law and order as the desperate population becomes increasingly frustrated with the lack of help.
According to the United Nations, about $268.5 million has been pledged by 20 countries, organizations and private companies to help the tiny Caribbean nation.
In an unprecedented response using mobile phones, individual Americans have also contributed more than $11 million to Haitian earthquake relief through text message donations.
Hollywood stars have also stepped up to help. Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie were amongst the first to announce support with $1.1 million donation to Doctors Without Borders (MSF) from their foundation. Sandra Bullock is also reported to have donated $1 million to MSF. Madonna said in a statement that she donated $250,000 through Partners in Health.
A major concern is how donated funds can be transformed into immediate supplies as the people of Haiti—distraught, injured or in shock—endure days without food or water.
The small Caribbean nation, the poorest in the Western hemisphere, was ill prepared for a 7.0 earthquake, with poorly constructed buildings that collapsed like cardboard. Poor infrastructure has also hindered rescue services.
Many of the capital’s hospitals collapsed, the airport control and radio towers were destroyed, the seaport is damaged, roads blocked, and fuel, electricity and phone services were wiped out.
Much needed supplies are being sent by sea with the first navy ship, the USS Higgins and US aircraft carrier the USS Carl Vinson, arriving some three days after the quake.
The medical aid specialists were already well established in Haiti before the quake, with three medical facilities in Port-au-Prince alone, but they say bodies are mounting up in the capital’s streets. Reports are also coming in that serious damage has occurred in smaller towns surrounding the capital.
“The dead bodies represent a medical issue in the sense that it’s a factor of stress for the survivors,“ said Dr. Mego Terzian, MSF emergency cell staff. ”But in this context, as the cause of the death, it is not an infectious factor. There is no risk of epidemics linked to bodies.”
However, Greg Elder, deputy operations for MSF in Haiti, warns that infectious diseases are a real concern with so many homeless and without clean water or effective sanitation.
Anger at the delay in rescue efforts is increasing, with reports of looting including the largest haul from the UN’s World Food Programme warehouse.
Former president Bill Clinton has warned of more bad days to come as military and rescue teams struggle with the lack of infrastructure, food and water, the threat of infectious disease and an increasingly angry population.
“You may see some things in the next seven or 10 days that don’t just tug at your heart strings but upset you,” Mr. Clinton told Fox News. “You may see a lot of very angry people, you may see some people looting, you may see some people doing and saying some things you don’t like.”
U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered a $100 million aid effort and appointed former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to lead private sector fund raising.
Actor George Clooney has said he will host a commercial-free telethon called Hope for Haiti to be broadcast on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, HBO and all MTV Network channels on Jan. 21.
Chris Martin, lead singer for British band Coldplay, has called for donations through Oxfam, while pop singer Shakira has asked her fans to donate to UNICEF to help to rebuild Haiti.
Oprah Winfrey has asked viewers to donate to the Red Cross and actor Ben Stiller also made an appeal on CNN’s Larry King Live for $US10 donations charged to phone bills by texting “Haiti” to 90999.
Rescue efforts continue to be hampered by the scale of devastation and the destruction of infrastructure in the aftermath of the massive earthquake which hit the capital, Port-au-Prince, on Jan. 12.
Haiti’s Interior Minister Paul Antoine Bien-Aime says the death toll could reach 200,000 and observers are warning of a breakdown in law and order as the desperate population becomes increasingly frustrated with the lack of help.
According to the United Nations, about $268.5 million has been pledged by 20 countries, organizations and private companies to help the tiny Caribbean nation.
In an unprecedented response using mobile phones, individual Americans have also contributed more than $11 million to Haitian earthquake relief through text message donations.
Hollywood stars have also stepped up to help. Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie were amongst the first to announce support with $1.1 million donation to Doctors Without Borders (MSF) from their foundation. Sandra Bullock is also reported to have donated $1 million to MSF. Madonna said in a statement that she donated $250,000 through Partners in Health.
A major concern is how donated funds can be transformed into immediate supplies as the people of Haiti—distraught, injured or in shock—endure days without food or water.
The small Caribbean nation, the poorest in the Western hemisphere, was ill prepared for a 7.0 earthquake, with poorly constructed buildings that collapsed like cardboard. Poor infrastructure has also hindered rescue services.
Many of the capital’s hospitals collapsed, the airport control and radio towers were destroyed, the seaport is damaged, roads blocked, and fuel, electricity and phone services were wiped out.
Much needed supplies are being sent by sea with the first navy ship, the USS Higgins and US aircraft carrier the USS Carl Vinson, arriving some three days after the quake.
Disease a Concern
Food supplies are running short and water has become the most important commodity as survivors struggle to come to terms with the death and devastation surrounding them, says MSF.The medical aid specialists were already well established in Haiti before the quake, with three medical facilities in Port-au-Prince alone, but they say bodies are mounting up in the capital’s streets. Reports are also coming in that serious damage has occurred in smaller towns surrounding the capital.
“The dead bodies represent a medical issue in the sense that it’s a factor of stress for the survivors,“ said Dr. Mego Terzian, MSF emergency cell staff. ”But in this context, as the cause of the death, it is not an infectious factor. There is no risk of epidemics linked to bodies.”
However, Greg Elder, deputy operations for MSF in Haiti, warns that infectious diseases are a real concern with so many homeless and without clean water or effective sanitation.
Anger at the delay in rescue efforts is increasing, with reports of looting including the largest haul from the UN’s World Food Programme warehouse.
Former president Bill Clinton has warned of more bad days to come as military and rescue teams struggle with the lack of infrastructure, food and water, the threat of infectious disease and an increasingly angry population.
“You may see some things in the next seven or 10 days that don’t just tug at your heart strings but upset you,” Mr. Clinton told Fox News. “You may see a lot of very angry people, you may see some people looting, you may see some people doing and saying some things you don’t like.”
U.S. President Barack Obama has ordered a $100 million aid effort and appointed former U.S. presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to lead private sector fund raising.
More Celebrity Donations
Meanwhile other celebrities are donating their time or names to raise funds, the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) reported.Actor George Clooney has said he will host a commercial-free telethon called Hope for Haiti to be broadcast on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CNN, HBO and all MTV Network channels on Jan. 21.
Chris Martin, lead singer for British band Coldplay, has called for donations through Oxfam, while pop singer Shakira has asked her fans to donate to UNICEF to help to rebuild Haiti.
Oprah Winfrey has asked viewers to donate to the Red Cross and actor Ben Stiller also made an appeal on CNN’s Larry King Live for $US10 donations charged to phone bills by texting “Haiti” to 90999.
