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.