BS: Haiti appealing for international help

Subject: BS: Haiti appealing for international help
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 08:55 AM

In yet another shameful display of American indifference toward the suffering of anyone but Americans, the pleas from Haiti, where 600 deaths have been confirmed, and 1,000+ people are now missing and believed dead from flooding, Americans ignore their Caribbean neighbor.

Subject: RE: BS: Haiti appealing for international help
From: open mike
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 01:26 PM

the U.N. and red cross have sent aid.
cnn report on haiti

the u.s. is a supporter of both agencies.
over 700 confirmed Dead.
help is on the way.
the u.s. embassy has sent immediate aid as well

Subject: RE: BS: Haiti appealing for international help
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 02:17 PM

This devastation ain't even on the US radar, as usual. Especially now that Bush installed his puppet regime.

Those UN workers you speak of aren't there providing humanitarian relief in response to the hurricane, they were already in country, as peacekeepers installed after the US backed coup that overthrew Aristide last Feb.

The US didn't send any aid to Haiti, the poorest nation in the Americas, last May either, when flooding and mudlslides killed over 2,000.

Like I said, Americans are VERY selective with their "generosity". To other Americans.

Subject: RE: BS: Haiti appealing for international help
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 02:23 PM

From today's Boston Globe article:

"Addressing the UN General Assembly yesterday, Haiti's interim president, Boniface Alexandre, pleaded for help. "In the face of this tragedy . . . I appeal urgently for the solidarity of the international community so it may once again support the government in the framework of emergency assistance," he said.

The European Union sent $1.8 million in urgent aid, to be distributed by the Red Cross and other aid agencies, said Poul Nielson, EU development commissioner.

Venezuela is sending $1 million as well as a boat loaded with food, water, tents, and a rescue squad, Venezuelan Information Minister Andres Izarra said.

On Monday, the US Embassy announced $60,000 in immediate relief aid, an amount criticized as "a drop in the bucket" by US Representative Kendrick B. Meek, Democrat of Florida, whose district includes some of the Miami area's Haitian community."

Subject: RE: BS: Haiti appealing for international help
From: CarolC
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 02:47 PM

The US doesn't ignore Haiti at all, GUEST. We prop up their dictatorial regimes, and we help them overthrow any government that tries to give aid to the weak and the poor of that country. We've been doing that for decades. Get your facts straight before you post, why don't you.

Subject: RE: BS: Haiti appealing for international help
From: mg
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 05:45 PM

Guest, why don't you provide some links or addresses where we can send something. And maybe inspire us with what you have done. If you are not financially able, then spreading the word is more than sufficient I would say.

Also, I wonder why in this day and age we can not get supplies to places. The main organization, Red Cross, does not want supplies, and wants money. I can understand that. But why aren't there other organizations? It seems like if people had missionary barrels in the 1800s and could get clothing etc. to Africa, and if people in the chaos after WWII could get stuff to Poland, then we should be able to get huge containers full of clothing and bedding and tents to places like Haiti. We should be up and ready to go with dropoff points in large cities prepared for disasters around the world. Yes, some volunteers would have to sort throught he stuff to make sure garbage and filthy stuff didn't get in, and yes, money on the spot is easier to disperse (also easier to be involved in corruption etc.) but people have housefulls of old bedding and clothing and people in these circumstances need. What is wrong with us?

Anyone involved in shipping? How much does it cost? How do we go about it? Is it always cheaper to buy stuff onthe ground? We know certain places will always have disasters; their daily life without floods etc. is a disaster...why don't we get stuff to them????

mg

Subject: RE: BS: Haiti appealing for international help
From: mg
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 06:08 PM

here are some good links:

http://web1.wsvn.com/news/articles/extra/C53259/

not sure if stuff is going to Haiti.

mg

Subject: RE: BS: Haiti appealing for international help
From: Bill D
Date: 22 Sep 04 - 06:10 PM

Perhaps US agencies were temporarily distracted by the billions of $ damage here in the last month...Haiti was only hit a few days ago...

and YOUR country, guest? What have they done?

I am NEVER sure why generalized America bashing is posted here.

Subject: RE: BS: Haiti appealing for international help
From: dianavan
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 03:02 AM

Bill D - I'll try to answer that question although it was not addressed to me.

America is quite often bashed by others because it is dreaded and feared. It is the bully of the world and the net is a safe place to vent.

I hope you are not so deluded as to believe it is a beacon of freedom and democracy.

America is now viewed as the oppressor.

d

Subject: RE: BS: Haiti appealing for international help
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Sep 04 - 07:49 AM

$60,000--gee, can the wealthies nation in the history of the world afford that huge amount? I also believe I read the US was sending a whopping 2 people to Haiti along with the money.

Well, I just hope the $60,000 can buy those 2 a good hotel in Port au Prince.