Prior to the earthquake that rocked the nation on January 12th, 2010, Haiti was already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject poverty (CIA World Factbook). The earthquake earlier this year simply added to the suffering as it killed 220,000 people, damaged or destroyed 180,000 homes, and left 1.5 million individuals homeless (Disasters Emergency Committee).
The deadly cholera outbreak that is now facing the nation has claimed 724 lives, with another 11,000 people being affected (CNN). Epidemiologists predict that this outbreak could last for months and believe the entire country of nearly 10 million people is at risk for the reason that they lack any immunity to the disease.
In addition to all of this, Haiti was struck by Hurricane Tomas in early November. And although the storm was not as deadly as originally anticipated, it still claimed the lives of 6 people, destroyed homes, and turned some streets into rivers (CNN World).
In the midst of this incredible devastation and suffering, as people who profess to follow a savior who came “to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners” (Is. 61:1), we must ponder what our response should be. For some of us it may entail giving financially to the relief organizations in Haiti. For a small few it may denote actively being involved, whether that is here in the United States preparing supplies, or traveling to Haiti to provide relief services. However, something that everyone can be involved in is actively interceding on behalf of not only the Haitian people, but also for those who are involved in the relief efforts. Thus, by doing this we can be a community that lives justly and better embodies Christ’s love for His people. For as Jeremiah asserts, to know the Lord entails defending the cause of the poor and the needy (Jer. 22:16).
For additional information concerning the present situation in Haiti, please see the 60 Minutes story below that aired on Nov. 14th, 2010:
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7054223n&tag=contentMain;cbsCarousel
Ways to Give:
American Red Cross: http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.53fabf6cc033f17a2b1ecfbf...
One Day’s Wages:
http://www.onedayswages.org/donate/org/haiti-relief-rebuild-fund
World Wide Village:
http://www.worldwidevillage.org/
Image from Flickr.
Filed Under: Just Living
Comments
Post new comment