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Major earthquake in Haiti

Re: Major earthquake in Haiti

I was listening to a BBC story on Angolan emergency response workers who were appalled at how poor and primitive Haiti is. That has to be the Mendoza line of development.

60 Minutes did a piece tonight. Nothing like a reporter asking the doctors "so, how much more of this can Haiti take"? Send medicine and shut up.
 
Re: Major earthquake in Haiti

So what does everybody think of this? I guess I don't disagree with him and can see what he is getting at, but I also can side with the passengers.
 
Re: Major earthquake in Haiti

Larch said:
So what does everybody think of this? I guess I don't disagree with him and can see what he is getting at, but I also can side with the passengers.
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There's two sides to this...

First the passenger side- thinking that visting a location that just went through a natural disaster which killed 10's of thousands of people is just horrible.

From the alturistic business side- you are a company who does buisness with an island that just went through a natural disaster, don't you think you should not cut them off? Keeping the tourists coming does bring cash to the struggling island.

So, which is correct? It will take me a while to think about it, as I really don't know.

BTW, the cruise companies regularly return to ports that were ravenged by hurricanes- fully knowing that the location isn't as great as it was, but that buisness is good. We did go back to Cozemel the winter after it got hit badly. We were recieved quite well, there.

BTW, big aftershock... :(
 
Re: Major earthquake in Haiti

theprofromdover said:
They got hit with a 6.1 earthquake/aftershock this morning.
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Jeez, they just can't catch a break down there. :(

alfablue said:
There's two sides to this...

First the passenger side- thinking that visting a location that just went through a natural disaster which killed 10's of thousands of people is just horrible.

From the alturistic business side- you are a company who does buisness with an island that just went through a natural disaster, don't you think you should not cut them off? Keeping the tourists coming does bring cash to the struggling island.

So, which is correct? It will take me a while to think about it, as I really don't know.

BTW, the cruise companies regularly return to ports that were ravenged by hurricanes- fully knowing that the location isn't as great as it was, but that buisness is good. We did go back to Cozemel the winter after it got hit badly. We were recieved quite well, there.

BTW, big aftershock... :(
Click to expand...

Not quite as altruistic as Carnival donating one of their liners for use as a barracks for relief workers after Katrina. But whatever the justification, the thought of letting vacationers disembark for some R&R in a city destroyed by an earthquake is a little revolting.

Why not coordinate with relief agencies and find a few nonskilled relief activities where help is in short supply? I heard it's taking forever to unload supplies off of incoming airplanes, stuff like that. Explain to the passengers that due to the obvious catastrophe, we're only here to unload supplies. But if you would like to give an afternoon of your time to help the Haitians in their time of need, you can disembark to help with A,B, or C. If the local vendors are anxious for business, let them set up shop at the pier where the ferry comes in. Wouldn't that be a kind of win/win situation for everyone? Or is there something about it that's not practical?

EDIT: Just read the bottom couple paragraphs about the port of call being some distance away from Port-au-Prince. Does that completely torpedo this idea?
 
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Re: Major earthquake in Haiti

gregg729 said:
Jeez, they just can't catch a break down there. :(



Not quite as altruistic as Carnival donating one of their liners for use as a barracks for relief workers after Katrina. But whatever the justification, the thought of letting vacationers disembark for some R&R in a city destroyed by an earthquake is a little revolting.

Why not coordinate with relief agencies and find a few nonskilled relief activities where help is in short supply? I heard it's taking forever to unload supplies off of incoming airplanes, stuff like that. Explain to the passengers that due to the obvious catastrophe, we're only here to unload supplies. But if you would like to give an afternoon of your time to help the Haitians in their time of need, you can disembark to help with A,B, or C. If the local vendors are anxious for business, let them set up shop at the pier where the ferry comes in. Wouldn't that be a kind of win/win situation for everyone? Or is there something about it that's not practical?

EDIT: Just read the bottom couple paragraphs about the port of call being some distance away from Port-au-Prince. Does that completely torpedo this idea?
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It's pretty far away- but still close enough to support.

Counter question- when is it then ok to re-start visiting? It's going to take years to rebuild Port-au-Prince- so how long is long enough for passengers to be no so revolting?

And what about the passengers who plan on being much more generous in their tips to help out relief efforts? I'm sure once you met some locals, you'll be more likely to give.

It's a tough ballance between helping economic recovery and "respect" for what happened. One can't wait too long.
 
Re: Major earthquake in Haiti

Apparently it's now raining so all the debris is compressing and rescue work is halted. Haiti drew the Old Testament god.

There have been 50 aftershocks of at least 4.0 since the quake a week ago.
 
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Re: Major earthquake in Haiti

First, I applaud news agencys for going to Haiti and helping, but I cant help but think they are trying to further their career on misfortune of Haiti. I mean, interviewing a woman who was just pulled from the rubble after a week...Id like to think there are standards.

Also, interesting some nations, and Haitians are calling the US involvment as an occupation. It is quite interesting as its uncharted waters so to speak in sending 15,000 armed troops to a disaster area and land on the grounds of their presidental palace.
 
Re: Major earthquake in Haiti

alfablue said:
It's pretty far away- but still close enough to support.

Counter question- when is it then ok to re-start visiting? It's going to take years to rebuild Port-au-Prince- so how long is long enough for passengers to be no so revolting?

And what about the passengers who plan on being much more generous in their tips to help out relief efforts? I'm sure once you met some locals, you'll be more likely to give.

It's a tough ballance between helping economic recovery and "respect" for what happened. One can't wait too long.
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It was just an off-the-cuff thought so I don't really have a counter-answer. My first instinct would be to say not until the corpses have been removed from the streets.

NMU8405 said:
First, I applaud news agencys for going to Haiti and helping, but I cant help but think they are trying to further their career on misfortune of Haiti. I mean, interviewing a woman who was just pulled from the rubble after a week...Id like to think there are standards.

Also, interesting some nations, and Haitians are calling the US involvment as an occupation. It is quite interesting as its uncharted waters so to speak in sending 15,000 armed troops to a disaster area and land on the grounds of their presidental palace.
Click to expand...

I'd venture to say nearly as many US armed forces were involved in the Asian tsunami a few years back. Any Haitian whose main fear right now in this catastrophe is "US occupation" is a Haitian that's close to a normal life. I'm quite sure the majority of Haitians have more pressing issues than spouting political rhetoric about their bad neighbors to the north. Those are the people the relief agencies don't need to worry about, as they are obviously much higher up on Maslow's heirarchy than the other 99% of Haitians if that's their biggest gripe....
 
Re: Major earthquake in Haiti

gregg729 said:
It was just an off-the-cuff thought so I don't really have a counter-answer. My first instinct would be to say not until the corpses have been removed from the streets.
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Which streets? The places where the ships are docking is hundreds of miles away by road from the devistation.

See- that's what gets me, too- I 100% see your point, but also know that it's a long way away, and noting how many corpses are rotting under structures which may be there for months- it's hard ballance.

BTW, I've got some friends who are organizing direct relief efforts in Haiti using some organized flights from Ft. Lauderdale to Cap Hatian via Nassau. they have trusted organizers on the ground in Haiti. I'm still trying to find out details on how to insert supplies, but I'll post here if you are interested. This is direct relief, not cash. They are looking for food, medical supplies, and known emergency needs.
 
Re: Major earthquake in Haiti

last time we occupied Haiti (roughly 1911-1934) it didn't turn out so bad. democratic elections, running water, electricity, phones, roads, schools, hospitals. we should stay there until these poor people get back on their feet. keep the peace. rebuild. "US occupation" isn't the boogie man.
 
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