One Year Anniversary of Haiti Earthquake
Minister of National Security Lt. Col. David Burch is encouraging residents to keep Haiti in their thoughts today [Jan 12] as the country marks the one year anniversary of the earthquake which devastated the Caribbean nation.
On January 12, 2010, thousands of people were killed and a n estimated one million people were left homeless when an earthquake left the country in ruins.
The Bermuda Government sent a commercial plane load of medical supplies, food and water to the region soon after the event, and in March, Government joined with the West Indian Association to host the ‘To Haiti With Love’ telethon.
The Island-wide telethon which featured local talent raised just over $100,000 for Bermudian charities working in the region.
Other efforts to assist Haiti were made locally, including numerous private donations, Bermuda based medical staff flying to Haiti and performing 115 operations, as well as a charitable drive to fill and ship containers of goods.
Minister Burch said his thoughts will be with the people of Haiti today and he encouraged Bermuda’s residents to also keep the challenged nation in their thoughts.
Minister Burch said, “I have been following the story of the Haitian people since the tragic events of January 12. Haiti is still suffering as a country and as a people. There have been cholera out breaks, political infighting and natural disasters such as hurricanes and flooding.
“Yet through all of their tribulations, there is a resilience and a strength among the people that is truly amazing. And despite their unspeakable hardships, they continue to persevere. So today I wanted to express my support for the nation and its people and it’s my hope is that other residents will also join me and take a moment out of their day to remember Haiti.”
The beneficiaries of the ‘To Haiti With Love’ telethon were the Caricom Disaster Emergency Management Agency, the Salvation Army, Philip Rego’s ‘Feed My Lambs’ and Haiti Health Village.
Just over $102,000 was pledged by the community. Of the amount pledged, just over $94,000 was successfully collected. This represented a 92% collection rate. Each charity received a total of $23,640.
Its been a year and millions of dollars in donations to Haiti
So why is it still a total mess???????
I don’t get it?!?!?!?!
What happened to the $13bn in Aid , were has it all gone?
You think that members of the BPS are corrupt and are living in houses that they can’t afford but you don’t understand corrpution in Haiti? The challenges are many in Haiti … not the least of which is Government corruption.
So true. Ask anyone with direct involment with Haiti. Their own government is their worst enemy. Nothing happens without some polititian or beaurocrat getting a cut first.
So sad, but this is what happens when people live with their heads stuck in the sand & play the system as good as they can.