Not since Hurricane Katrina has a natural disaster galvanized so many people to action as has yesterday's tsunami earthquake that shook Haiti, devastating the tiny Caribbean island. AP News reports that Haitians are piling bodies along the streets of their capital after a powerful magnitude-7 earthquake flattened the president's palace, the main prison, the cathedral, hospitals, schools, and thousands of homes. Untold numbers are still trapped beneath rubble.
Haitian president Rene Preval says he believes thousands of people are dead. His prime minister, Jean-Max Bellerive told CNN" "I believe we are well over 100, 000 [deaths]", though he gave no basis for that estimate.
Wyclef Jean, the famous member of the hip-hop group The Fugees, has led the online advocacy for aid to the region, encouraging folks to either you use their cell phone to text "Yele" to 501501, which will automatically donate $5 to the Yele Haiti Earthquake Fund (it will be charged to your cell phone bill), or visit www.Yele.org and click on DONATE.
Jean released this statement yesterday:
"Haiti today faced a natural disaster of unprecedented proportion, an earthquake unlike anything the country has ever experienced. The magnitude 7.0 earthquake - and several very strong aftershocks - struck only 10 miles from Port-au-Prince. I cannot stress enough what a human disaster this is, and idle hands will only make this tragedy worse. The over 2 million people in Port-au-Prince tonight face catastrophe alone. We must act now. President Obama has already said that the U.S. stands 'ready to assist' the Haitian people. The U.S. Military is the only group trained and prepared to offer that assistance immediately. They must do so as soon as possible. The international community must also rise to the occasion and help the Haitian people in every way possible."
Liberated Muse Productions would like to encourage everyone to keep this region in our prayers as they work on reconstructing their country.To check the status of family member in Haiti please call the U.S. State Department at 888.407.4747
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