Haiti

[KiwiNZ]

My heart goes out to the people of Haiti. I have experienced first hand the destruction that nature can bring with the Boxing Day Tsumani in Asia.

May your will come from togetherness and your strength from knowing you are not alone.

We should all take a moment to spare a thought for their suffering and offer in our own way what we can.

[NoaHall]

Indeed, I agree. And I thought nothing could get worse for them.

[MasterNetra]

my heart goes out to the people of haiti. I have experienced first hand the destruction that nature can bring with the boxing day tsumani in asia.

May your will come from togetherness and your strength from knowing you are not alone.

We should all take a moment to spare a thought for their suffering and offer in our own way what we can.

+1

[dragos240]

Poor people :(

[MasterNetra]

Poor people :(

Yes, we know they're poor. But I'm more concerned about they're health and well being. :(

[phawnex]

My heart goes out to the people of Haiti. I have experienced first hand the destruction that nature can bring with the Boxing Day Tsumani in Asia.

May your will come from togetherness and your strength from knowing you are not alone.

We should all take a moment to spare a thought for their suffering and offer in our own way what we can.

true stuff man.

hopefully it turns out for the better.

[boriskarloffinablender]

wow, i didnt even know that had happened. but sparing a thought isn't exactly going to help them.

[dragos240]

Yes, we know they're poor. But I'm more concerned about they're health and well being. :(

No! That's not what I meant! I meant poor as in "I feel sorry for them".

[lisati]

My heart goes out to the people of Haiti. I have experienced first hand the destruction that nature can bring with the Boxing Day Tsumani in Asia.

May your will come from togetherness and your strength from knowing you are not alone.

We should all take a moment to spare a thought for their suffering and offer in our own way what we can.

+1. Must've had its challenges for you, good that you made it.

[RiceMonster]

Oh wow! I just heard about the earthquake. This is very tragic news indeed.

[KiwiNZ]

Thoughts and a donation is all I can do this time . I wish it could be more. As with the Tsunami they need search and rescue people on the ground , the physical damage I incurred during the tsunami rescue stops me now and that is so frustrating.

So if any of you have those skills offer them. If not , give what you can .

[steve161]

I've made a small donation to help out, even though it's a coin flip whether it will ever reach the intended recipients. Also, given the conditions down there, it may be days before the scope of this disaster is known.

[MasterNetra]

Thoughts are all I can give now myself. No money and no skills that would beneficial to them.

[sports fan Matt]

All the best...Its a very rough time there indeed.

[cprofitt]

My heart yearns to offer them personal assistance... but I, alas, have no skills left in my old bones that could be of benefit at this time.

I do, however, offer my prayers to all of the people in Haiti. It wrenches my heart to see so people, in particular, children fall prey to a natural disaster compounded by poverty and lack of modern health facilities.

Tonight my heart weeps in agony for their suffering.

[user1397]

To which organization have you guys been donating for this tragedy?

Just curious as I am not sure which one to donate to.

[matthew]

my heart goes out to the people of haiti. I have experienced first hand the destruction that nature can bring with the boxing day tsumani in asia.

May your will come from togetherness and your strength from knowing you are not alone.

We should all take a moment to spare a thought for their suffering and offer in our own way what we can.
+1

[k64]

Considering that Ubuntu means "Humanity towards others" in Zulu, I wouldn't be surprised at this thread.

However, that aside, I really feel horrible for them, even though most US teenagers take stuff like that for granted. One day some other teenagers will come unprepared when the "big one" does strike here in California, and I will help them survive by putting my life on the line.

[whiskeylover]

To which organization have you guys been donating for this tragedy?

Just curious as I am not sure which one to donate to.

I'm gonna donate to the Red Cross (http://redcross.org) as soon as I get home.

When you're on their website, you should see links to donate to the Haiti relief efforts.

[forrestcupp]

What breaks my heart the most is seeing videos of mothers crying because they can't find their kids, or because their kids were hurt.

I was watching the Today show yesterday on NBC and freaked out when they interviewed a guy I know named Luke Renner who is living in Haiti. I found out he was on Larry King Live and some other news channels, too. He recently started a humanitarian program and a video/media school to give Haitians a skill and a sense of self importance. Pretty cool to see a guy I know on national TV.

[hoppipolla]

I hadn't heard about this either - I don't watch the news enough anymore ._. heh

But yes that's terrible, it is scary how much damage and loss of life nature can wreak in an instant :(

What's even scarier is how little we can do about it sometimes.

My thoughts are with them :(

[whiskeylover]

For people who cannot donate, please put a link to the donation page of the organization of your choice on your websites/facebook profiles etc.

[fromthehill]

I feel really sorry for everyone who lives there
however I'm not going to donate anything for this

I give do charities. they still call, advertise on tv, ring my doorbell.
the government gives taxmoney to charities
my company gave my christmas present for MY work to charity

and wasn't there A LOT of money left that was supposed to be for the tsunami victims?

[HappinessNow]

I don't own a TV so I hadn't heard about it either until now,...devastating!

[WSmart]

JEAN-BERTRAND ARISTIDE: “As we all know, many people remain buried under tons of rubble and debris, waiting to be rescued. When we think of their suffering, we feel deeply and profoundly that we should be there, in Haiti, with them, trying our best to prevent death. As far as we are concerned, we are ready to leave today, tomorrow, at any time, to join the people of Haiti, to share in their suffering, help rebuild the country, moving from misery to poverty with dignity.

The spirit of Ubuntu, that once led Haiti to emerge as the first independent black nation in 1804, helped Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador attain liberty, and inspired our forefathers to shed their blood for the United States’ independence, cannot die. Today, this spirit of solidarity must and will empower all of us to rebuild Haiti.”

[dragos240]

We donated 51 dollars to haiti, I hope they're okay!

[samjh]

To which organization have you guys been donating for this tragedy?

Just curious as I am not sure which one to donate to.

International Committee of the Red Cross:
http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/helpicrc

United Nations Childrens' Fund (UNICEF):
http://www.supportunicef.org/site/pp.asp?c=9fLEJSOALpE&b=1023561

World Vision:
http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/eappeal.nsf/egift-haiti-quake-relief?open

Salvation Army International:
https://secure.salvationarmy.org/donations.nsf/donate?openform&projectid=IHQ-Haiti

Oxfam:
http://www.oxfam.org/en/emergencies/major-earthquake-haiti

[coolbrook]

There's also Wyclef's organization

Yéle Haiti
www.yele.org

He was looking for help long before the recent disaster.

I'm anxious to send down some summer clothes and one of my unlocked GSM phones when I get a chance.

[pwnst*r]

Our company donated $500k to the Red Cross for Haiti relief efforts.

[pwnst*r]

I don't own a TV so I hadn't heard about it either until now,...devastating!

The only way you hear about world news is through television?

I'm sorry.

[JDShu]

I advise using an RSS feed to BBC or some news site that serves international news.

[samjh]

Or get a newspaper. ;)

[WSmart]

I get Democracy Now, via torrent feed, MP4 video. Then I can view it as I get time rather then trying to catch it on a TV schedule. The tone is a little strident for my taste, but it's a great program, past that, for international news. They also have an .ogg audio feed most days.

I hear the Red Cross is misleading or dishonest about how they use funds. No shortage of that in our cultures today. I think often times people are expected to do nothing. It's a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't, and what are you going to do about it. I think what we need to do is we need to be smarter. The public can be painted as uncaring or delinquent in order to justifies the unjustifiable; “I wish things didn't have to be this way, but, oh Lord, look how hard we work, night and day, while the others do so little.”; which is the story of the golden lamb, how the people freed from slavery began to create the same slave culture they had been freed from. Nonsense, saith the Lord. +1

We like for the Kombit.

[k64]

I'm only 16! Why would I donate?

[dragos240]

I'm only 16! Why would I donate?

I am 14, and I've donated!

[gletob]

I'm only 16! Why would I donate?

I'm only 15 and I donated to help impoverished AMERICANS.


I am 14, and I've donated!

Bring back the old kitty.

[pwnst*r]

I'm only 16! Why would I donate?

Post of the week.

[JDShu]

I'm only 16! Why would I donate?

I think you mean "how" as opposed to "why".

[user1397]

I'm gonna donate to the Red Cross (http://redcross.org) as soon as I get home.

When you're on their website, you should see links to donate to the Haiti relief efforts.


International Committee of the Red Cross:
http://www.icrc.org/web/eng/siteeng0.nsf/html/helpicrc

United Nations Childrens' Fund (UNICEF):
http://www.supportunicef.org/site/pp.asp?c=9fLEJSOALpE&b=1023561

World Vision:
http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/eappeal.nsf/egift-haiti-quake-relief?open

Salvation Army International:
https://secure.salvationarmy.org/donations.nsf/donate?openform&projectid=IHQ-Haiti

Oxfam:
http://www.oxfam.org/en/emergencies/major-earthquake-haiti
Yea soon after posting what I posted, I found the red cross site link to donate for haiti...not much, but about as much as I can afford (I'm a college student).

Thanks for the quick replies though.

[Frak]

I'm either going to be deployed as a close-to-dock Navy emergency recruit (long story) or as a Red Cross Emergency volunteer next week, whichever one contacts me first.

So, I guess I may see the scene soon.

[KiwiNZ]

I'm either going to be deployed as a close-to-dock Navy emergency recruit (long story) or as a Red Cross Emergency volunteer next week, whichever one contacts me first.

So, I guess I may see the scene soon.

Take care , keep safe.

[iWolf]

I heard there were also RMCP officers there too. 4 Canadians Were Killed (Maybe More, By The Time I Checked In It Was About 1030 CST)

[HappinessNow]

I'm either going to be deployed as a close-to-dock Navy emergency recruit (long story) or as a Red Cross Emergency volunteer next week, whichever one contacts me first.

So, I guess I may see the scene soon.

I commend anybody who actively goes to Haiti to help!


Over 250 IDF soldiers from the Home Front Command were sent as part of the Israeli aid delegation to Haiti. Part of the delegation concentrates its efforts on Search and Rescue operations to try and find survivors under the rubble of earthquake stricken Haiti.

On Friday (Jan. 15) the IDF established a field hospital that is capable of treating 500 people a day. The Medical Corps has said that it has already carried out three life saving surgeries.
http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=417699260356&ref=nf



The IDF delegation sent to assist earthquake victims in Haiti, settled on the island and built a medical facility on a football field to assist casualties of the collapsed UN headquarters in the capital Port-au-Prince. Search and Rescue teams are already searching the city in an effort to find survivors in the rubble. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=137472&id=6817576935&ref=nf

Nice to see the Israeli Defense Force taking an active lead in the rescue efforts in Haiti!

picture explanations in order:

idf1:


http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=143926&d=1263753262
IDF Medical Corps attending wounded in Israeli built field hospital in Haiti. In the photo: Col. Dr. Itzik Kries, Commander of the field hospital.. Photo: IDF Spokespersonhttp://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3361891&id=6817576935

idf2:


http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=143927&d=1263753262
Maj. Gen. Dr. Haim Lavon revising a wounded patient at the field hospital that was set up by the IDF in Haiti.. Photo: IDF Spokespersonhttp://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3361892&id=6817576935

idf3:


http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=143928&d=1263753262
A dog from the canine Oketz unit looking for survivors among rubble in Haiti. . Photo: Ran Ladin, IDF Spokespersonhttp://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3361893&id=6817576935


http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=143929&d=1263753262
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3361896&id=6817576935


http://ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=143930&d=1263753262
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=3361890&id=6817576935

[sports fan Matt]

Is there anywhere I could look for wallpapers to put on the desktop reflecting the efforts?

[chucky chuckaluck]

I'm only 16! Why would I donate?

well, i'm 53 and i still can't figure out why you bothered to post this.

[pwnst*r]

Is there anywhere I could look for wallpapers to put on the desktop reflecting the efforts?

They're not quite desktop size, but...


http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/01/haiti_48_hours_later.html

[pwnst*r]

I don't feel like perusing these 5 pages again, so if it's been posted before, well it's worth repeating:

http://www.google.com/relief/haitiearthquake/

[Maheriano]

When I moved away from home and decided to live on the other side of the country, I did research about historical natural events and placents of tectonic plates as well as frequency of weather events. If you're dumb enough to decide to live on an active fault line.....well.....too bad I guess. If there were an angry fire breathing dragon sleeping on a mountain, would you build a house in its mouth? You can only help people so much, they eventually need to help themselves.

[pwnst*r]

When I moved away from home and decided to live on the other side of the country, I did research about historical natural events and placents of tectonic plates as well as frequency of weather events. If you're dumb enough to decide to live on an active fault line.....well.....too bad I guess. If there were an angry fire breathing dragon sleeping on a mountain, would you build a house in its mouth? You can only help people so much, they eventually need to help themselves.

You're right, they can afford to move, what's wrong with them?

[xuCGC002]

When I moved away from home and decided to live on the other side of the country, I did research about historical natural events and placents of tectonic plates as well as frequency of weather events. If you're dumb enough to decide to live on an active fault line.....well.....too bad I guess. If there were an angry fire breathing dragon sleeping on a mountain, would you build a house in its mouth? You can only help people so much, they eventually need to help themselves.

Um, do you have any idea what the Haitian economy is like?

[malspa]

When I moved away from home and decided to live on the other side of the country, I did research about historical natural events and placents of tectonic plates as well as frequency of weather events. If you're dumb enough to decide to live on an active fault line.....well.....too bad I guess. If there were an angry fire breathing dragon sleeping on a mountain, would you build a house in its mouth? You can only help people so much, they eventually need to help themselves.


I'm betting that not very many people are in Haiti because they chose to be there.

[KiwiNZ]

When I moved away from home and decided to live on the other side of the country, I did research about historical natural events and placents of tectonic plates as well as frequency of weather events. If you're dumb enough to decide to live on an active fault line.....well.....too bad I guess. If there were an angry fire breathing dragon sleeping on a mountain, would you build a house in its mouth? You can only help people so much, they eventually need to help themselves.

So you are saying the most of the population of Los Angeles, SanFrancisco , Tokyo to mention a few are the same as you describe? They live on fault lines as do millions living in the fiery ring of the Pacific and other Earthquake prone regions cover a large percentage of the globe

You might want to try finding some compassion .

[HappinessNow]

Amazing story of a new baby born amidst the chaos and tragedy in Haiti:


Woman gives birth in IDF field hospital
Jan. 18, 2010
E. B. SOLOMONT, jpost correspondent in PORT-AU-PRINCE , THE JERUSALEM POST

The IDF's field hospital in the Haitian capital worked at full capacity throughout Sunday, treating a relentless stream of victims from what a senior IDF medical officer described as "the war outside."

Overnight Saturday, in what staff described as one of the most fulfilling moments of their work, the Israeli doctors delivered a baby boy, whose mother, Gubilande Jean Michel, promptly declared would be named "Israel."

Meanwhile, the IDF's rescue teams continued to play their vital role in the international race against time to find survivors from last Tuesday's quake. Team members saved the life of a customs clerk who had been trapped in his office by debris, and then sent him for treatment in the field hospital.

Israeli officials noted that, from their experience, it is reasonable to believe survivors can yet be located and extricated five or six days after a disaster of this kind, but very rarely beyond that time period.

With most medical facilities here out of commission, the Israeli hospital has drawn a constant throng of locals needing urgent medical care.

More than 100 survivors have been treated, with three in 10 in serious condition and 50 percent moderately injured. Children comprise more than half of the injured, most with limb injuries and bone fractures. Nearly a dozen lifesaving operations have been performed.

Set up in an industrial park, and staffed with 40 doctors, 40 nurses and medics, the hospital has been constantly treating patients since Saturday.

"There is no hospital around, so the ambulances started bringing patients here," said Col. Carmi Bar-Tal, the deputy head of the IDF emergency and medical unit. "There is a war outside," he said, gesturing to the compound's gates where a crowd was awaiting help.

Inside, the army tents house orthopedic, emergency and surgical units. Doctors are equipped to handle pediatric and adult emergency care. There are two operating beds, X-ray facilities and a laboratory. "We know that what we are giving them is the only thing they have," Bar-Tal said. "We discharge patients but don't know what awaits them afterwards. At least we gave them a chance to live."

Newly born Israel's mother Gubilande, who is 24, arrived by ambulance on Saturday night, accompanied by a cousin. She had left her three other children with her parents. Her husband has been missing since the quake.

Bar-Tal noted that the IDF's participation in 10 previous relief missions in catastrophic situations had given it vital experience for coping in this environment. "We have the capacity to help," he said. "We know how to bring medicine to the field."

Virgine Géré, 36, was brought in with a gunshot wound in her right shoulder.

Her boss accidentally shot her and the bullet penetrated her chest. On Sunday, she lay in a cot with tubes running straight from her chest. "For now, she is stable," said Dr. Noam Zeller Lion.

Besides the urgent need for medical care in Port-au-Prince, Haitians are desperate for water and food. Communication is spotty and fuel supplies are depleting. Some Haitians are crossing to the Dominican Republic to purchase supplies.

In Port-au-Prince, throngs of people lined up at gas stations to buy gasoline at $10 per gallon.

Throughout Sunday, crews worked to clear rubble from the streets. People picked through collapsed homes searching for victims. Nearly everyone here is living outside, since few structures are safe. The sprawling tent cities reek of desperation.

The Israeli rescuers have been well received by the Haitians. TV cameramen photographed survivors applauding and singing next to an IDF search and rescue team after they pulled someone out of a collapsed building. "Good job, Israel," the crowds sang over and over.

IsraAID has sent a medical team to the Port-au-Prince hospital, while ZAKA International has continued to search for survivors.

"The scenes in the hospitals were horrendous. Everywhere on the floors of the building and outside, there are people with amputations and bone-deep wounds, hundreds of them," said Sheve Cohen, a nurse from the Negev.

"The size of the catastrophe is unbelievable. All of
the injured were being treated, until we came by, by one local doctor. We were the first foreign backup team to operate in the hospital."

IsraAID is trying to expand its operation and additional teams will be sent next week.http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1263147915036&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull

[3rdalbum]

Looters are finishing the job that the earthquake started. And don't think that they're just looting food and clothing; they're helping themselves to luxury products from poorly-defended shops.

As my grandfather says, there was very little looting during the Blitz because the government made it clear that anyone caught looting would be shot. The Haiti government desperately needs to do the same, with the exception of essential supplies (which should be under government control anyway right now).

The looting and violence has shocked me more than the earthquake itself. What sort of person steals from the desperately needy? Shocking.

[johnb820]

There is looting going on because there is no government. They can't operate, and too many have lost family members. If there is one thing the country needs most it is military support from the UN given the green light to use all in their power to bring order to the country.

[HappinessNow]

Amazing story of a new baby born amidst the chaos and tragedy in Haiti:

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1263147915036&pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull

It appears Israel is the only country that is set up for life saving complex surgeries. If the IDF was not there this baby and probably the mother would not have made it.



Praise for Israeli mission in Haiti: 'Only ones operating'
Israeli field hospital earns accolades as only aid mission able to do complex surgery in devastated country. CNN reports other missions transfer patients to Israeli base. ABC reports on young woman giving birth there

Yitzhak Benhorin
Published: 01.18.10, 19:32 / Israel News

The valiant work of Israel's rescue mission to Haiti has been widely covered in the Israeli press. Now it has earned praise from a surprising source: On Monday, US media broadcast items praising the assistance provided by Israel, and one reporter even sent a letter of thanks to Israeli representatives in New York.

CNN reported that Israel is the only state so far to have sent a field hospital equipped with all that is required for surgical operations. Doctors from various missions send patients requiring surgery to Israel's makeshift hospital, particularly those whose condition is critical, the news network said.

According to the report, other field hospitals contain no more than stretcher beds and medical teams who administer first aid, and they are not prepared for complex surgery.

Resourcefulness saves baby's life
ABC praised the Israeli mission which had assisted a birth using a complicated procedure. The network's reporter, himself a trained doctor, came across a woman on the point of giving birth. First he tried to assist, but when he got into difficulties he remembered the Israeli field hospital, called the Israeli consulate in New York and was directed to the IDF camp.

"I understood that they were looking for the Israeli mission," said Joel Lion, Israeli consulate spokesman. "I called the military attaché in Washington to get the address of the mission… then, via Blackberry, I managed to get the coordinates and direct them there."

When they arrived at the hospital, the young woman was taken in and eight hours later a healthy baby was born.

ABC reported extensively on the story, and even sent a letter of thanks to the Israeli representative in New York. "They were very moving moments. It was amazing to be party to saving life and bringing a baby into the world. And most amazing was that it was all directed via a cell phone," said Lion. "We will pass on the expressions of thanks to the doctors and the wonderful staff at the Israeli field hospital in Haiti."

They're waiting for the Israeli surgeons
More than 100 injured patients require surgery, but are unable to get it anywhere except at the Israeli field hospital in Port-au-Prince. The doctors are unable to meet the demand, and meanwhile the patients lie in tents, administered with painkillers, and cry for help. "They'll die within 24 hours if they don't get operated on," a reporter said.

Criticism against the US mission was voiced in the ABC item. The US, it said, had sent staff for a field hospital, but they had still not received the instruments required for surgery. The equipment was supposed to arrive by the weekend, but will get there only Monday night, it seems. Only then will the US be able to set up its field hospital.

The White House said that more than 250 doctors and nurses have been sent so far to Haiti by the US Department of Health. A US ship, to be used as a floating hospital, is also on the way from Baltimore to the earthquake-torn country. The ship, with 600 doctors and nurses as well as medical equipment is due to arrive within two days.

Former US President Bill Clinton is also due to arrive Monday, to encourage rescue efforts.http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3836254,00.html

[Frak]

Bad news and Good news.

Bad:

Due to unforseen consequences, I had to have oral surgery done today. I won't be able to deploy ANYWHERE for at least 6 weeks.

Good:

I'm on some pretty strong pain medication, and I feel like superman.

[amitabhishek]

I think US is doing a fantastic job in Haiti.Given the circumstances they are doing the best they can. They certainly deserve kudos for their effort.

[murderslastcrow]

Disaster relief is certainly the kind of thing we should be putting our money and effort behind.

I think helping those stricken with disaster is more important than 'spreading freedom'. But let's not get into that discussion. XD

To the people suffering, I wish I could do more to help.

[coolbrook]

sudo bump

[RabbitWho]

I wish I had a credit card so I could send them money, I live in a small town and i haven't seen a single person collecting or a single thing I could buy in aid of it.. plus it's minus 22 degrees right now so i'm not very motivated to spend my time off outside looking.

But I'll be all over the next natural disaster I promise!

[coolbrook]

I know what you mean. I said I'd give more for Katrina. It didn't work out that way, but I'll cover it this time.

[coolbrook]

It's only been two months since the quake.