On Jan. 12, a devastating and massive earthquake slammed the island of Haiti. Already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, Haitians are now dealing with destruction and loss while rebuilding a battered city in Port-au-Prince.
As if things couldn’t get any worse, Haitians are running out of food.
The United Nations made that clear by stating more than 2 million Haitians are in immediate need of food assistance.
The events occurring in Haiti make me feel so grateful for being born in America. While I’m standing in line deciding on the style of lunch I’ll be having, there are human beings — not just in Haiti — who starve on a regular basis.
It’s clear how well we have it in the United States, at least from my perspective.
Food imports account for 48 percent of Haiti’s total food consumption, according to a story from the New York Times. Nearly half of the country’s food supply relies on travel, while roads, bridges and runways have been destroyed.
It’s unfortunate that it took a natural disaster to begin reshaping Haiti.
The only event I can compare this to is what the city of New Orleans went through after Hurricane Katrina.
I remember the images on television and in the newspaper and reading of the suffering the citizens of New Orleans had gone through during the traumatic event that caused thousands of Americans to be stranded and homeless after Katrina.
New Orleans is one of the most populated and distinct cities in the South and was completely turned upside down after the crippling effect left by Katrina.
I can’t picture how terribly difficult it must be for Haiti right now. New Orleans, the capital of Louisiana, was shredded and it’s still rebuilding after four years.
Imagine a third-world country going through a similar process without the supplies, technology and manpower to recover.
It’s times like these where I’m thankful for my surroundings, and it’s times like these where I’m thankful for my ability to lend a hand.
The easiest way to give is by texting “HAITI” to 90999 for a $10 donation to the American Red Cross that will be added to your cell phone bill.