Rebuilding Haiti...would you go if you could?
By spalladino
@spalladino (17891)
United States
January 22, 2010 10:47pm CST
Right now the country of Haiti is still in crisis mode...a life and death battle to survive another day with volunteers from all over the world working tirelessly to help meet the immediate needs of the people there. Eventually, some semblance of order will be restored. The survivors of this terrible earthquake will have the food and medical care they need and temporary housing...most likely in the form of communities of tents, some of which already started to appear...will become home to hundreds of thousands.
But, the people of Haiti cannot be left in this terrible condition. The next phase will be the rebuilding...clearing the rubble, rebuilding roads, bridges, hospitals, schools & homes...restoring electricity and water...continuing medical care and establishing social programs...restoring Haiti's limited industry...basically starting over from nothing. This will be a massive undertaking. In addition to the sheer magnitude of the amount of work that needs to be done is the reality of the hurricane season which starts in June. So, time is of the essence and already governments and relief agencies are making arrangements for this phase to begin.
Herein lies my question. If you were in a position to go to Haiti to be part of the rebuilding, would you go?
2 people like this
13 responses
@lordofdarkness (163)
• Malaysia
23 Jan 10
If I had the means and the resources to do so, I definitely would. It would be a great experience and at least I'm using my time to do something useful for a change
@cyrus123 (6363)
• United States
23 Jan 10
Yes, I would go if I could. My problem is, I don't have the money to travel these days. I feel so sorry for these people being in the shape they're in right now. It's so sad! So many lives have been lost and people from all over the world haven't heard anything from their friends or relatives who were there at the time of the quake. So many people are missing, too. It's going to take a long time to build Haiti back. Like I said, I would go if I could but I'm living on SSI and I just don't have the funds. Kathy.
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
23 Jan 10
If you have a skill that's needed I believe that travel arrangements will be provided by whatever company or agency you would work for. My husband's brother's company is going to have their heavy equipment transported by the military and they will have a plane at their disposal for transporting the crews back and forth. The only thing we have to pay for upfront is my husband's passport. Your heart is in the right place, Kathy, even if you can't go. I can't either...someone has to stay here to run our business, pay the bills and take care of our pets...but I would if I could.
1 person likes this
Kathy.
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
23 Jan 10
If I had no obligations here and no worries about money or property and the physical abilities needed, I would go. I could even work in the organizing department.
The first thing I would do is stop any money from going to the dictator, he keeps them poor and oppressed. This would be a good opportunity to make sure everyone has clean water and a good sewage system. I would also educate the people how to take care of their new homes and not treat them like the paper shacks they are used to living in. We could all make a real difference in Haiti if it's done properly but don't hold your breath.
@ZephyrSun (7381)
• United States
23 Jan 10
Probably, I'm sure that with my construction background I would be able to do something useful to help although, if they don't speak English that could be a problem LOL It's so very tempting, you know leaving the kids for a while to do something I love....
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
23 Jan 10
I know what you mean Zeph...I would love to go, too. I'm sure there will be translators available once the rebuilding begins, or maybe the contractors will bring their own, especially if the Haitian people are going to be part of it. Something to add to our list of things to be discussed with my husband's brother.
@yugasini (12893)
• Secunderabad, India
24 Jan 10
hi spalladino,
after long time i am seeing you in mylot what is happened to you,are you busy with your work or you are at Haiti to look-after the work done at Haiti regarding rehabilitation of the earthquake survivals,till now i have not done any of that voluntary work,if there is chance i will go and help the needy,have a nice day
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
25 Jan 10
Hi yugasini. No, I am not in Haiti...I am at home in Florida. My husband is going but I will be staying at home, running our business and taking care of our pets and our home. I would like to go but someone needs to be here.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
24 Jan 10
Mu husband and I are so saddened by the condition of the poor people in Haiti; what a terrible disaster that has fallen upon them! They have been lost loved ones, some have been horribly injured and now they are living in appalling conditions waiting for any help they can get. We have donated a small sum of money, a very small one because that is all we can afford and my heart breaks that we don’t have the means to do more and give a lot more so yes, definitely, if I could go and even help just one person, it would be worth the trouble. In the meantime I will keep the prayers going for Haiti and its people...
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
25 Jan 10
I know what you mean, paula. We've donated twice but not nearly as much as we'd like to.
1 person likes this
@Skittlez352 (216)
• United States
25 Jan 10
I think it would be a good experience for many Americans to visit Haiti and help the people that are in need by passing out food and helping others get clothing. Many people don't understand how serious it is to help and recieve. It would give such a good feeling to understand that you helped others that are in need and it would give a little perspective of their point of view! Good discussion!
@praveenjena (1304)
• India
23 Jan 10
This is indeed a grave situation for the people out there. This great devastation requires herculean work to rebuild. But that task certainly requires a large working force. Yes i would certainly go out over there and help out anything that I could. Haiti was not that well and prosperous and not after this problem they are totally out of resources. So it is not just our duty to supply them with resources but also with all the helping hands that we can provide.
@cripfemme (7698)
• United States
24 Jan 10
If I could go an help in some way, I would definitely be on the next plane. I write for a living, but I can do that anywhere. Even from Haiti. I think that people would be very interested in my perspective because I have a disability. I know that a lot of people from American who are disabled have formed coalitions to help Haitians with disabilities who are as always in these situations more screwed than able-bodied people who of course are screwed as well. I'm not saying that able-bodied people get off scott-free in these disasters, but disabled people already have a disadvantage, especially in countries like Haiti which is not developed enough to accommodate them under normal circumstances, let alone, disasters. But my finances don't permit me to go to Haiti and I don't know what I would do once I got there. Therefore, I'm just going to contribute to my friends' efforts and hope for the best.
@sanjana_aslam (4187)
• Malaysia
23 Jan 10
hi spalladino,
i guess i am out of topic here, but this is why we salute the American government ~they r ever ready to assist any country who needs support
i am not skiilled so i guess i will be the last to be given any opportubity, but if i can i will
cheers
@aabuda (1722)
• Philippines
23 Jan 10
With the current devastation that brought to the people of Haiti, I guess it is by no means a right place for me to go if given the chance. I would just rather donate something like money in order to help rebuilding Haiti. Because with the kind of status that the Haitians are facing today, I think they are in a very hot temper and definitely violence is spreading across the nation. So in order for me to be safe, I think I will just have to donate to the different organizations who are in the forefront of helping rebuilding Haiti.
@DenverLC (1143)
• Philippines
23 Jan 10
Yes I would probably go with whole heart and mind if given the chance. Haiti is already part of the history, people need people to stay hoping, people are needed to rebuild properties that are wasted. However, only prayers can give them peace and new hope.
@chaithebest (14)
• Philippines
23 Jan 10
Yes i would. What a feeling if i could go there to help those people.
