7.0 Earthquake Hits Haiti Hospital Collapses

[sharcaro]

A few yrs ago my daughter and I were on RC Cruise and it was hurricane season, with the threat of one where we were suppose to go.. They took us to Labadee instead, We had never heard of it and were not told of the change in itenery until ship was already way out of port. It was a nice beach, and had a lot of haitians there with there crafts, Even these people who are allowed in there to sell there stuff and work were so obviously sooo poor, we both felt very sorry for all of them and bought so much stuff we really didnt need or want just to help them out. I cant imagine what the other millions in haiti even live like. Beyond what my mind can see I guess. Too bad these people have not had access to birth control as that would help everyone on this island to not have so many babies that they cannot afford. Less population would help in the long run, I think. JMO
So many people and kids dying.......

 

[LogicalMinds]

Yes...the cruise ship passengers sleep on board the ship and are in "Haiti" for about 6 or 8 hours...a sanitized and guarded part of Haiti, 100 miles from PaP...

we are in "agreement" that we "met natives" there....the ones that are disease free and trustworthy and allowed to enter Labadee...namebadge/fingerprinted etc (which btw all cruiseline employees go thru)....those "natives" are trilingual or quad? lingal...speaking Creole, French, ENGLISH and some maybe spanish

they are "lucky" to have those jobs...RCI owns that land...and we can't walk fast enough or far enough to see where they "come in the gate"...and that is a fact

Just as I have seen "China" at Epcot I have seen a Disney version of Haiti and so did anyone else who cruises there in the past ? 15 years

they didn't have a "tourist trade" to speak of...and I have NO idea why you are so focused on trying to make it seem as if they did

Back in the 80's, when your parents went there...? yeah then maybe they had tourism...when the Clintons honeymooned there...but that was long ago

maybe in the future they will have more curiselines help them develop something...but they really had very little....200 workers is a drop in the bucket in a country of 9 million
from wiki>>
Half of the children in Haiti are unvaccinated and just 40% of the population has access to basic health care. Even before the 2010 earthquake, nearly half the causes of deaths have been attributed to HIV/AIDS, respiratory infections, meningitis and diarrheal diseases, including cholera and typhoid, according to the World Health Organization. Ninety percent of Haiti’s children suffer from waterborne diseases and intestinal parasites.Approximately 5% of Haiti's adult population is infected with HIV. Cases of tuberculosis in Haiti are more than ten times as high as those in other Latin American countries.Some 30,000 people in Haiti suffer each year from malaria.

from wiki>>

By most economic measures, Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas. It had a nominal GDP of 7.018 billion USD in 2009, with a GDP per capita of 790 USD, about $2 per person per day.[58]

It is an impoverished country, one of the world's poorest and least developed. Comparative social and economic indicators show Haiti falling behind other low-income developing countries (particularly in the hemisphere) since the 1980s. Haiti now ranks 149th of 182 countries in the United Nations Human Development Index (2006). About 80% of the population were estimated to be living in poverty in 2003. Most Haitians live on $2 or less per day. Haiti has 50% illiteracy,and over 80% of college graduates from Haiti have emigrated, mostly to the United States. Cité Soleil is considered one of the worst slums in the Americas, most of its 500,000 residents live in extreme poverty. Poverty has forced at least 225,000 children in Haiti's cities into slavery, working as unpaid household servants.

here is a great article written pre quake


Tell people you are planning on Haiti. Tell them, and wait for the raised eyebrows, the skewed glances, the incredulous questions. Anyone who says that Haiti tourism is a thriving industry is a liar. It's not much of a secret – pick up your nearest Caribbean travel guide. See if it lists Haiti. Sure, it"ll have Haiti's neighbor to the east, the ever growing Dominican Republic, but Haiti? Probably not. They would have you believe that no one wants to visit the island. Haiti has a reputation, after all.

A reputation for danger and instability. And while the turbulent history of Haiti doesn't lend itself well to apologists, the country itself has long been given a bad rap. While crime, environmental problems and urban decay definitely have a home here, it's neither more or less sketchy than many places in the world. And if anyone tries to talk you out of visiting Haiti, politely ignore them, as Haiti culture makes the island one of the most complex and fascinating locations in all of the Caribbean.

In fact, Haiti tourism was a bustling industry just 25 years ago.

more here>>>

 

[LogicalMinds]

A few yrs ago my daughter and I were on RC Cruise and it was hurricane season, with the threat of one where we were suppose to go.. They took us to Labadee instead, We had never heard of it and were not told of the change in itenery until ship was already way out of port. It was a nice beach, and had a lot of haitians there with there crafts, Even these people who are allowed in there to sell there stuff and work were so obviously sooo poor, we both felt very sorry for all of them and bought so much stuff we really didnt need or want just to help them out. I cant imagine what the other millions in haiti even live like. Beyond what my mind can see I guess. Too bad these people have not had access to birth control as that would help everyone on this island to not have so many babies that they cannot afford. Less population would help in the long run, I think. JMO
So many people and kids dying.......

In the past few years Royal Carrib (RCI) has called it Labadee, Cap Haitian...Haiti....but some years back they didn't even call it Haiti...just Labadee LOL"


they sell the Labadoozie drink there...the people come to sell crafts, braid hair, and they have a little band....also some older men who set up chairs for tips

they are poor but they eat the buffet that RCI puts out and they are allowed by the cruiseline to take home the leftovers

in a country where people average $2 a day these 200 carefully chosen workers are considered to have a "great" job and thought to be very fortunate

No one ventures far enough away from the safe area and catches a "tap tap" (one of their unregulated buses) to ride to the citie/s....and see the poverty there
Labadee is "safe" and one does not need special immunuzations or vacinations to visit there...and all of those "craftspeople" have been tested for disease/TB etc before they can come in there

The city of PaP has NO cruiseships...most of the people who "visit" there
are on a mission, aid worker, UN worker, embassy staff, or engineer etc

I have friends who do mission/aid work there...the city of PaP was an "eye opener" before the quake

the poor students from Lynn....it is not looking good for them..the one poor gal in her first day of Haiti was crying and told the others on the spot she was changing her major to social work, a day in Haiti had made her want to help others...now it seems she is lost (Britany Gengel)

and things do not look good for my friend Rich

 

[LogicalMinds]

Another good article on tourism (and lack of) in Haiti..

this also reinforces what I have said about RC's "private' area...and that many cruisers don't even realize they are in "Haiti"...RC sure doesn't call it that much, they call it Labadee...

it does say that in the 50's and 60's Haiti was a great tourist destination

the wars and the poverty and the disease have ruined it

this totally validates what I have been SAYING OVER AND OVER HERE>>>

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/01/19/haiti.tourism/index.html

 

[Brwnigirl]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am sick to my stomach over this whole Haitian Earthquake crisis and the LACK OF HELP/AID (NOT) sent in IMMEDIATIETLY! What took SO long? What is STILL taking so long? I do not get it!!!
The day before Hurricaine Katrina hit back in late Aug. 2005, I came down with the flu. I made my couch my bed and expected to spend the next few days there. That came true. I did. I watched CNN and other news channels non-stop when I wasn't sleeping. The LACK OF AID was SURREAL to me. Eerily sureal while watching the news footage with a high fever.....I NEVER thought I would EVER witness such a BOZO job of aid and help EVER AGAIN in my lifetime. Then, this again, it all seems so SURREAL. Holy crap, it's been 7 days now, and STILL there is little to no help/hope for these people. It boggles my mind. Lesson learned.....we ALL need to be prepared to help ourselves in case of major crisis because our government surely isn't going to be there for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well said Ripley.. but watch what you say. On this thread, you might be accused of being ungrateful for the aid that is there or complaining too much or putting down the US.

The lack of coordination is unbelievable in Haiti and the emphasis on "keeping the peace" is overboard. 20,000 people dying per day, according to doctors there.

Somebody take charge and save these people.

Motrin for amputation recovery when supplies are in a plane circling the air?? Unreal.

 

[NaNaRosebud]

I know this won't go over very well in this thread but I'm really getting sick of hearing and seeing things about Haiti every minute on the news.

Everywhere you look it/they say give, give give....Geez...people HAVE given. Leave us alone now.

And I'm sick of hearing about Conan and Jay.....who the hockey sticks cares about the late night tv crap.

 

[songline]

I know this won't go over very well in this thread but I'm really getting sick of hearing and seeing things about Haiti every minute on the news.

Everywhere you look it/they say give, give give....Geez...people HAVE given. Leave us alone now.

And I'm sick of hearing about Conan and Jay.....who the hockey sticks cares about the late night tv crap.

There are some Countries where there is no news at all.
here we get to choose, Some don't open their TV all day long, some do, some don't buy the paper, some do.
When there is not much to report they don't want us to focus on the economy so they do some overkill with select cases.
Human Catastrophe is NOT such a case. You are right this thread is about caring.

 

[feddup]

Thank you - but the plans they did have toward a better tourist trade can still happen as soon
a massive clean up is done.
I read someplace that Aftershock can happen for up to a year till the grounds have all settled.
By then the plans they have made can be expanded on and maybe there will be a brand new Haiti.

After this earthquake, songline, I would not want to go anywhere that has earthquakes! Why people in Ca on fault line arent making plans to move after this is beyond me. It is a wake up call.
To lose everything you own in a matter of minutes at anytime? And Scientists, Geo Scientists are predicting a BIG one along that San Andreas Fault.
Even the poor girls from FL were only there a day and look what happend? 4 still missing
I would not go to Haiti if they rebuilt.
Earthquakes are too unpredictible. Scientists can study the area but even they cant predict WHEN. eeeks! Id rather face a Hurricane.

 

[songline]

After this earthquake, songline, I would not want to go anywhere that has earthquakes! Why people in Ca on fault line arent making plans to move after this is beyond me. It is a wake up call.
To lose everything you own in a matter of minutes at anytime? And Scientists, Geo Scientists are predicting a BIG one along that San Andreas Fault.
Even the poor girls from FL were only there a day and look what happend? 4 still missing
I would not go to Haiti if they rebuilt.
Earthquakes are too unpredictible. Scientists can study the area but even they cant predict WHEN. eeeks! Id rather face a Hurricane.

I am with you totally. I lived in LA in the late 1970's and experienced one that was mild in comparison...
I moved right back to NY...
But I think and I am not a Student of these Natural phenomenon, that after the earth settles which can
take up to a year it will be safe for many years to come. (not very sure about this).
Anyone jump in who knows better.
I think the one before this one was in the early 1800's

I too would never live in an area known for earth quakes. Me Chicken, not big chance taker...:no:

 

[feddup]

Ripley007
There is ALOT of help.
Just last night MacDill AFB was getting ready to send more help. They have made about 50 flights over so far. So how is that to say the U.S. isnt
helping? Things calmed down alot when the Marines got there, too.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2010/1/21/572818.html?title=Movement+of+aid+to+Haitians+improving

This is a HUGE catastrophe. It is mind boggling to the people trying to help, it is not easy. God bless them.

 

[songline]

Well said Ripley.. but watch what you say. On this thread, you might be accused of being ungrateful for the aid that is there or complaining too much or putting down the US.
The lack of coordination is unbelievable in Haiti and the emphasis on "keeping the peace" is overboard. 20,000 people dying per day, according to doctors there.

Somebody take charge and save these people.

Motrin for amputation recovery when supplies are in a plane circling the air?? Unreal.

BBM
Watch out for the people on this thread, because they really care and they must be very dangerous people
All the naysayers are really cool :crazy:
All the people who are not there, and have no idea about all the hardships Let them all complain...
This phrase may say it best:
If you can't change something, change the way you feel about it.
We can not change that terrain, or its challenges, so we must work with what IS.

 

[feddup]

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2010/1/19/571870.html

This is from Tues but they have helped ALOT.

How dare anyone say the U.S. has no helped enough. In the long run,
we will probably help the most.

There is a storage of supplies from Agape here ready to leave full of supplies they just need a truck and driver to get the stuff to Miami. They are a local donation charity!
Here is alot of the problem:

"Team members have been on standby for four days waiting to leave, but getting planes in and out of disaster-stricken Haiti has proven difficult."

 

[LogicalMinds]

I am personally "ok" with people who state the truth...they don't want to help, they don't care about Haiti, they don't care about the quake....some people in South FL feel that way too....some feel that maybe "thinning the herd" there was a good and natural thing...etc

at least it is honest

I am more disturbed by people who seem to want to influence others to NOT help Haiti by 1) making it seem as if nothing is being done, or that it is a waste, inefficient, so why bother or 2) making it seem as if Haiti was just like any other tourist happy sunny island "No problem Mon"....and as if they somehow squandered the tourist bucks and should be able to take care of themselves

hey if you don't care..fine

I have to admit...when they have a quake or some other disaster in Iran or whatever I don't really spend much energy worrying about it or donating

to each their own

I just hate to see MISinformation spread , it feels like a backhand attempt to discourage others to donate. I see that happening around here a lot

 

[songline]

Ripley007
There is ALOT of help.
Just last night MacDill AFB was getting ready to send more help. They have made about 50 flights over so far. So how is that to say the U.S. isnt
helping? Things calmed down alot when the Marines got there, too.

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2010/1/21/572818.html?title=Movement+of+aid+to+Haitians+improving

This is a HUGE catastrophe. It is mind boggling to the people trying to help, it is not easy. God bless them.

You are totally correct,
but for some the glass is 1/2 empty no matter what else is going on it will never be 1/2 full. It is what it is.
And we must keep on keeping on, because it is the only productive thing to do.
To much energy to try to prove to naysayers that the world is doing all it can.

Having said that, to a person waiting for news about their child or husband or brother every moment is hard
For those who are hurting it will never be fast enough and rightfully so.

 

[feddup]

I am with you totally. I lived in LA in the late 1970's and experienced one that was mild in comparison...
I moved right back to NY...
But I think and I am not a Student of these Natural phenomenon, that after the earth settles which can
take up to a year it will be safe for many years to come. (not very sure about this).
Anyone jump in who knows better.
I think the one before this one was in the early 1800's

I too would never live in an area known for earth quakes. Me Chicken, not big chance taker...:no:

It would be nice if Haiti DID, after this, start to rebuild and bcome a tourist economy, but no, I cant handle the thought of an Earthquake me, mcchicken, too LOL
We do have hurricanes here. I guess I take a chance, they just dont seem as scary as EarthQUAKE. You at lleast get a warning, usually 3-5 days in advance to prepare.

 

[LogicalMinds]

Our hospitals in South Florida are starting to fill with injured people

they are bringing kids in too....

and help is going out

in the first aftermath there is no communication, the runway was not accessible...now things are starting to take shape...

God Bless these poor people

it does not look good for my friend Rich or the others from Lynn University

I read where one of the girls was so moved by her FIRST and only day in Haiti, just seeing the poverty...that she had told her classmates she was changing her major to social work....Britany Gengel..she is among the missing

that is a testimony to them....and I hope that others will follow their kind hearts and care about this poor country ...this is a disaster of epic proportions...and they need any help they can get, even if it is just prayers, well wishes and positive thoughts JMO

 

[songline]

I am personally "ok" with people who state the truth...they don't want to help, they don't care about Haiti, they don't care about the quake....some people in South FL feel that way too....some feel that maybe "thinning the herd" there was a good and natural thing...etc

at least it is honest

I am more disturbed by people who seem to want to influence others to NOT help Haiti by 1) making it seem as if nothing is being done, or that it is a waste, inefficient, so why bother or 2) making it seem as if Haiti was just like any other tourist happy sunny island "No problem Mon"....and as if they somehow squandered the tourist bucks and should be able to take care of themselves

hey if you don't care..fine

I have to admit...when they have a quake or some other disaster in Iran or whatever I don't really spend much energy worrying about it or donating

to each their own

I just hate to see MISinformation spread , it feels like a backhand attempt to discourage others to donate. I see that happening around here a lot

GREAT POST :clap::clap:

I too believe it is Gods way to thin out the worlds overpopulation.
But I also believe that those who survived need to be helped.
That is just me.

It is OK for people to be honest. But in My heart I can only rever caring people.
Having said that....If an earth quake was to happen in regions where the terrorists are abound,
I would turn a blind eye.

 

[feddup]

PLUS: we did send the USNS Comfort, got their yesterday I believe.
That is a floating HOSPITAL. Even has a place on it for dental work.
I forget how many operating rooms. it is quite new and the advanced
technology they need for helping the people who got hurt.

 

[LogicalMinds]

Songline....I personally don't think "God" has a thing to do with any of this...I am more of the philosophy that "shizit happens"..

I am Catholic (or semi Catholic LOL)...but my OWN thoughts are much in line with the rabbi who wrote "When Bad Things Happen to Good People".....I have long subscribed to his ideas, and sent his books to those who are suffering or grieving

My ONLY way to "understand" is that God doesn't "make" bad stuff happen...I don't think "He" did this...if he did I would want NO part of such a "cruel" God..

I don't think God made Casey kill Caylee or caused the earthquake

I don't think praying to God to "stop" these things does any good...I think God is as powerless in some things as we are

but I think that Praying to God for strength does help

will God move the concrete off Rich at the Hotel Montana?? No...
nor will he make my numbers hit in the lottery

but maybe God can give those workers strength to keep digging....give Rich comfort...
give his daughters strength and healing and peace...

~~~~~~

as a sidenote...I spoke with a friend of mine yesterday who cruises all the time...her remarks were that "I have been to Haiti several times and it seemed fine, just like any other island, the beach was nice, the locals seemed ok, they had lots of crafts and a steel band"....LOL LOL

I tried to explain she had been to the sanitized private RCI resort of Labadee...but no she assures me she was "in Haiti"....and has the fridge magnet to prove it. HER theory is an interesting one....some conspiracy by the illegal immigrants here in S Florida to get welfare and food stamps

I guess some blame God...she seems to think these poor people here had enough power to "orchestrate" a quake LOL>> go figure

 

[EmMomma]

Just rec'd a Twitter update...another 4.9 "aftershock"...and then another.
12:29 p.m. -- The USGS confirms a magnitude 4.8 aftershock occurred nine minutes after the magnitude 4.9 at 11:45 a.m. and 15 miles closer to the capital.

12:14 p.m. -- Twitter users in the Port-au-Prince area report multiple small aftershocks.

11:45 a.m. -- An aftershock shook the capital. The U.S. Geological Survey estimated its magnitude at 4.9 and located its epicenter 30 miles west of Port-au-Prince.
http://tinyurl.com/p9g5utc


God, help the people of Haiti in this time of unimaginable suffering and horror...