Archive for January 20th, 2010

A 6.1-magnitude aftershock struck Haiti early this morning near Port-au-Prince, the strongest tremor since the 7.0-magnitude earthquake that hit just over a week ago. Thankfully, all Salvation Army personnel on-the-ground are safe and accounted for, but the second earthquake is a rumbling reminder of Haiti’s instability, both literal and figurative, that plagues relief efforts. As aid workers face head-on the need of a country that was a disaster even on its best day, the world must realize that there is no such thing as a quick fix.

An internationally coordinated response to a natural disaster is a massive, complex effort that requires more than just days, weeks, and even months. But add to these challenges the extreme deficiencies of a country like Haiti, and the word ‘complicated’ just doesn’t suffice.

Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere, with as much as two-thirds of its population estimated to be unemployed. Malnutrition and diseases such as HIV, AIDS, and TB run rampant. Cities have no public sewage system, and only a minority of the population has access to drinking water services. Before the earthquake, Haiti had nothing. Now, it has less.

Their infrastructure was defunct even before the first earthquake destroyed the little that did exist. But in the aftermath, most roads leading into Port-au-Prince were impassible and the harbor collapsed, causing boats carrying relief workers, medical supplies, and food to be turned away. The airports even banned planes carrying aid workers  and badly needed supplies from landing because they couldn’t handle the incoming air traffic. Even now, more than one week later, our disaster relief teams are being required to reroute to the Dominican Republic and drive more than 6 hours because the overwhelmed Port-au-Prince airports continue to change policy and restrict incoming flights. Add on top of all that no working widespread communication systems, and you’ve got yourself, well, a disaster within a disaster.

Despite these difficulties that are related and not related to the earthquakes, The Salvation Army continues to provide critical aid to the people of Haiti. Our organization has been working in the country since 1950, operating schools, clinics, hospital, feeding programs, children’s homes and church-related activities through some 60 Corps community centers across the country. In addition to the 700 officers and staff based in the country, we have already sent dozens of additional personnel and funds to Haiti to assist with disaster relief.

The bottom line is, as the relief efforts and rebuilding continue in the ensuing days, weeks, months, and even years, The Salvation Army will continue to be there, even after the news cameras pull out and Haiti slips from the headlines.

To stay updated on our efforts, visit our national website at www.salvationarmyusa.org or follow us on  Facebook and Twitter.

***This post was updated following the House’s passage of H.R. 4462***

Whether you’re Democrat or Republican, here’s an idea that both sides of the aisle can support:

Deductions for Haiti donations on your 2009 tax return!

Congress is back in session, and members of the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that will allow taxpayers to claim deductions on your 2009 tax return if you make a monetary donation to earthquake relief in Haiti. However,  make sure you donate before March 1, 2010, or else you won’t be able to claim your deduction until you file  your 2010 tax return.

For more information, you can find the text of H.R. 4462 here or go to the House Ways and Means Committee website to read  an announcement of the bill’s passage . The Senate is also considering a similar bill, sponsored by Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, which must be passed and signed by the President before the initiative can become law.

Not only does this legislation benefit American taxpayers who give their hard-earned money to a charitable cause, it also encourages more donations to earthquake relief efforts, thereby benefiting Haitians as well.

Call your U.S. Senators and U.S. Representative at (202) 224-3121 and let them know you want them to support this bill!

If you would like to make a financial contribution to The Salvation Army’s ongoing relief efforts in Haiti, you can donate through :
•     Online Credit Card Contributions or PayPal
•    Text ‘HAITI’ to 52000
•    Call 1-800-SAL-ARMY
•    Mail a check or money order to:
The Salvation Army World Service Office
International Disaster Relief Fund
PO Box 630728
Baltimore, MD 21263-0728
*Please note that your donation is for Haiti Earthquake relief*

To stay updated on our efforts, visit our national website at www.salvationarmyusa.org or follow us on  Facebook and Twitter.