Quoting Ken777 (Reply 48): This is the time when the good in people and governments come out.

You have to feel touched how we're all working together for a common cause for humanity.

One of the most disturbing reports are that a prison collapsed in the capital and inmates are now free to roam. I can't imagine how difficult it will be for them to be found.

Also, I wonder how hard it will be for the rescue effort to be coordinated with so many countries involved. Is the Port-Au-Prince Airport large enough for this amount of Aircraft that will be there?

I think the things most needed included heavy equipment to help remove large slabs of concrete, as well as tons of food and water because it's practically impossible to find it there as of right now

Quoting FuturePilot16 (Reply 50): as well as tons of food and water because it's practically impossible to find it there as of right now

The latest I heard on the news is that several countries have already dispatched non-perishable food, bottled water and medicines to the region. The rescue teams have a lot of work ahead of them, I hope they find survivors.


You can also donate to Doctors Without Borders:

http://doctorswithoutborders.org/donate/otheroffices.cfm

[Edited 2010-01-13 12:47:19]

I have friends who are there visiting their family, thankfully they are safe, they spent last night outside on a school's basketball court because they didn't feel safe inside with the aftershocks (many measured above 5 on the Richter Scale). On facebook they posted the aftershocks are fewer and further between now, and the airport while technically open all commercial flights are cancelled. They also posted some pictures and it's just crazy. They are about 30-40 miles east of Port au Prince, in what is considered the "moderate" damage area, but it looked pretty nasty to me. They also said that Internet seems to be working the best, and phones are basically useless at this point.

Quoting Phoenix9 (Reply 51): The rescue teams have a lot of work ahead of them, I hope they find survivors.

The problem for them is that time is working very much against them. The quake happened 23 hours ago and presumably teams will only just now be starting to arrive in Haiti. How long will people be able to stay alive in the ruins? Another 24 hours? 48?

Quoting CPH-R (Reply 53): The problem for them is that time is working very much against them. The quake happened 23 hours ago and presumably teams will only just now be starting to arrive in Haiti. How long will people be able to stay alive in the ruins? Another 24 hours? 48?

It's warm but not too hot, and the nights are mild, the weather mostly dry. I would think conditions are quite good for 3 or 4 days of survival, if somehow they can ge sips of water thru a rainstorm, much longer. But at least it's not terribly cold. Maybe I'm optimistic, but the weather conditions are not playing against survival, at least IMHO.

Quoting Phoenix9 (Reply 51): You can also donate to Doctors Without Borders:

A very respectable and worthy charity.

World bank has pledged $100 million in aid.

I just became known that at least the Hôpital Albert Schweitzer
www.hashaiti.org/ has survived intact. Dr Rolf Maibach, at the moment on holidays in Switzerland, found out as much. He will fly to Miami tomorrow in the hope to get over from there. In the following picture, Dr Maibach in the middle :


and here some of his staff


and here the building


and here the private lodgings of Dr Maibach


Dr Maibach in an interview with Swiss TV made it clear that his hospital is far too small to cope, and that injured people were kept in the gangways, AND that just as in war, the doctors had to select "easy" patients and forget both the heavily injured and those with only minor injuries.

Quoting D L X (Reply 19): This is way worse than Katrina I think. I fear we may be talking about 300,000+ dead and 1,000,000 survivors homeless. Port-au-prince is a city of about 2 million people, leveled.

  

I shudder to think what the damage report is going to reveal. I'd consider this to be a more isolated version of the 2004 tsunami if anything. I already saw pictures of the collapsed Palace today, both before and after... It's really devastating!

I know some of you have posted on here that yinz all have loved ones in the area, and I really hope they all turn out ok. I really do. I will likely head to an American Red Cross location and donate something as well.

God bless their families!   

The whole place is turned into ruins.

Videos on LiveLeak re Haiti

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=c70_1263417270

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=b13_1263365838

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=f7a_1263415007

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ccf_1263412966

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=60f_1263409579

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=919_1263405313

STILL HAVING AFTERSHOCKS

InternetHaiti

RT @fredodupoux: After Shock !!! small one. less than 20 seconds ago from Tweetie

13-JAN-2010 18:54:16 18.45 -72.61 4.6 10.0 HAITI REGION
13-JAN-2010 17:18:08 -0.69 133.31 5.7 10.0 IRIAN JAYA REGION, INDONESIA
13-JAN-2010 16:49:07 -15.48 -175.04 5.0 10.0 TONGA ISLANDS
13-JAN-2010 16:21:23 -15.71 -174.63 5.3 10.0 TONGA ISLANDS
13-JAN-2010 14:43:45 18.40 -72.89 5.3 10.0 HAITI REGION
13-JAN-2010 12:42:38 6.65 124.35 5.2 10.0 MINDANAO, PHILIPPINE ISLANDS
13-JAN-2010 12:41:44 18.41 -72.81 4.7 10.0 HAITI REGION
13-JAN-2010 12:28:25 18.41 -72.73 4.5 10.0 HAITI REGION

 

This is so horrible, I have been keeping up to date with the latest news. I have sent a donation via the Oxfam UK website. It's not much but I know it will be more use to them than to me wasting it on a DVD or a new top.

I really am horrified by the tragedy

I have no money right now to donate... but can donate clothes, canned food, etc... I am in Switzerland and have found no place to do so... any ideas? I have been looking over the internet without any luck so far...

http://www.canada.com/news/Canadian+...+confirmed+dead/2433727/story.html
http://www.canada.com/news/Canadian+...urces+mobilized/2436715/story.html

1 Canadian is confirmed dead. Yvonne Martin was a nurse from Ontario. Other Canadian casualties are being reported.
2 RCMP officers are still missing.
1 former Liberal MP is missing.

Both DART (Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team) and the Atlantic fleet have been mobilized. The DART advance squad is already on the ground, with the rest of the team to follow shortly. The frigate HMCS Halifax was loaded with supplies and will arrive in Haiti in a couple of days. The frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec is being loaded and getting ready to depart for Haiti.

Heres a summary of the international rescue effort?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8456192.stm

Just wondering, who co-ordinates who sends what and the administration of all this relief to make sure resources are maximized?

Quoting Phoenix9 (Reply 24): Canadian Red Cross:

Thankyou...I was searching Redcross but I realised the first one from before started with something different so I missed it  
I donated using Oxfam in the UK with my cashcard as the redcross doesn't do paypal

Quoting MadameConcorde (Reply 11): Pictures of Haiti after the earthquake - real time image results.http://picfog.com/search/Haiti

If that isn't sobering (and stomach turning!!!) I don't know what is.

Donated to Doctors Without Borders.

The scale of the aftershocks is amazing and their frequency, I hope we dont have another La soufriere around there somewhere.

My prayers.
TRB

http://twitpic.com/xw8ee



If that doesn't make you understand, this will (warning -- this is graphic!):
http://twitpic.com/xz557

Quoting Ogre727 (Reply 60): have been looking

-
too early. What they right now are looking for is
- money
- medicaments
- medical supplies
- water purification equipment
- tents

but are waiting for the airport of PAP to reopen

I think real change will come with that US American aircraft carrier which I expect to get to Haiti over the coming night

Quoting D L X (Reply 66): If that doesn't make you understand, this will (warning -- this is graphic!):

That is just terrible. I can't fathom how it feels to lose a child, but in this manner must be heart wrenching.

Quoting ME AVN FAN (Reply 67): real change will come with that US American aircraft carrier

Perhaps a hospital ship would make much more sense at the moment since not even MSF based in Haiti are operational at the moment.

Quoting L410Turbolet (Reply 69): Perhaps a hospital ship would make much more sense at the moment since not even MSF based in Haiti are operational at the moment.

The hospital ship USNS Comfort is prepping for departure within 5 days from Baltimore, MD.

http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/am...response/index.html?iref=allsearch

To correct something I said above, the hospital that was operational last night around Port-au-Prince was from the Argenine Air Force not the army. Up until last night nearly 1,000 people had been treated for their wounds and 100 emergency surgeries had been done. Surely many more since then.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...37-5003402,00.html?from=public_rss

Prayers to everyone in Haiti, and everyone with loved ones in that beseiged nation. I plan to make a small donation to the Red Cross in the next day or two. I may also give blood if the Red Cross needs it to go to Haiti.


This is the kind of situation where the best in humanity comes out-most of us would give anything to go there and help personally, and many of us give what we can in times of crisis like this.

It can also bring out the worst in humanity-like Pat Robertson, who is saying Haiti brought this on themselves by making a pact with the Devil. See CNN for details on that one. I believe God has a special place in Heaven for the victims of such a catastrophe, adn I hope he has an equally special place for bitter hate-mongers like Robertson.

This earthquake was supposedly the "big one" along the fault line that runs from Jamaica through Haiti and into the DR. If there is any ray of light in this tragedy, it is that the entire Haitian infrastructure will need to be rebuilt, and perhaps some kind of city planning can now take place in Port Au Prince, hopefully ridding the city for it massive shanty towns with no running water or electricity, and provide for proper sanitation.

The major concern that I have is that the flood of incoming relief funds and monies need to get to every citizen of Haiti, and not be pocketed by the Haitian corrupt government officials, military, police leadership, and the numerous gang kingpins. The poor need this relief most of all, and I hope that ALL of the Haitian citizens receive the aid that they require.      

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 73): hopefully ridding the city for it massive shanty towns with no running water or electricity, and provide for proper sanitation.

I will estimate that it would take 5-10 billion to properly rebuild the city and install those necessities. I'm not sure Haiti has 1% of that. I think through donations around the world, it could happen. But we need to allow an independent monetary control group to control these funds and not allow it to get into the hands of the gov't or the thugs that support them.

Quoting Ken777 (Reply 48): This is the time when the good in people and governments come out.

Indeed. My thoughts are with all those people affected by this terrible disaster.

Quoting Falcon84 (Reply 72): It can also bring out the worst in humanity-like Pat Robertson, who is saying Haiti brought this on themselves by making a pact with the Devil.

Here's the always highly offensive Robertson giving his bitter, twisted two cents on the Haiti tragedy. I almost feel sorry for his "yes-woman" sitting next to him. I don't think even she can believe what he's saying, and she noticeably relaxes when he finally shifts to disaster relief.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPyyXQN8cG0&feature=player_embedded

Quoting Johnboy (Reply 75): Here's the always highly offensive Robertson giving his bitter, twisted two cents on the Haiti tragedy. I almost feel sorry

When I first heard it, I was so disturbed by what he said. He is a friggin lunatic who should be censured. I'm angry at his constant ridiculous statements.

Quoting FuturePilot16 (Reply 74): I will estimate that it would take 5-10 billion to properly rebuild the city and install those necessities. I'm not sure Haiti has 1% of that. I think through donations around the world, it could happen. But we need to allow an independent monetary control group to control these funds and not allow it to get into the hands of the gov't or the thugs that support them.

Amen! The corrupt government does NOT need it, as stated numerous times already.

Quoting Johnboy (Reply 75): highly offensive Robertson

You, Robertson, sir, are NO true Christian!

Really? Did the Hatians really talk to the devil? So this is what, some act of retribution for making a deal with Satan? I guess it's a good thing that I want no part of the 700 club...

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 73): The major concern that I have is that the flood of incoming relief funds and monies need to get to every citizen of Haiti, and not be pocketed by the Haitian corrupt government officials, military, police leadership, and the numerous gang kingpins. The poor need this relief most of all, and I hope that ALL of the Haitian citizens receive the aid that they require

The humanitarian effort will be massive but unfortunately will be hampered by the fact we are talking an island which will make much of the first critical 48 to 72 hours pass by before equipment and rescue personnel can be logistically moved to Haiti.

I agree with your assessment on the relief funds and equipment finding their way into the proper hands. The US has given billions in aid to Haiti and it does not have the appearance of getting to the people. Lets hope the efforts being made at this time will get where it is suppose to go.

Okie

Quoting Johnboy (Reply 75): Quoting Falcon84 (Reply 72): It can also bring out the worst in humanity-like Pat Robertson, who is saying Haiti brought this on themselves by making a pact with the Devil. Here's the always highly offensive Robertson giving his bitter, twisted two cents on the Haiti tragedy. I almost feel sorry for his "yes-woman" sitting next to him. I don't think even she can believe what he's saying, and she noticeably relaxes when he finally shifts to disaster relief.

Isn't that something! I remember similar people spewing garbage like that after the 7.9 earthquake hit Sichuan, China a little less than 2 years ago.

Just cut the BS and send help ASAP.

Quoting YVRLTN (Reply 62): Just wondering, who co-ordinates who sends what and the administration of all this relief to make sure resources are maximized?

Unfortunately no one.

Each nation refuses to be subordinate to another nation. To have any certain nation placed in charge of the relief efforts would mean several other nations would refuse to cooperate.

The same turf battles exist - maybe even more intensity - among the various charity and aid organizations. Each is certain of their own expertise and skills. None are willing to work under the overall leadership/ guidance of another agency.

The UN organization in Haiti is too small and without the expertise to do the job.

Also the UN group has suffered several key casualties. I understand Brazilian military members were killed and some from another nation on the security team.

Haiti apparently has no one with the level of experience to handle such a job. Not a criticism of anyone in Haiti - but this is on a level much greater than anything they, and most nations, have ever seen.

The deputy commander of the United States Southern Command was in Haiti and has provided extensive information to SOCOM, however, the United States efforts are not being done by the US military, but by the US Agency for International Development. The ATC teams alerted and ready to travel last night were delayed until 'experts' from Washington could be prepared and briefed. The emergency teams set to launch last night are still sitting at their bases in the US waiting for permission from the AID team.

I'm sure those people have good credentials - but they don't spend their professional careers working on how to get massive amounts of the right materials into a 'hostile' environment quickly.

Every administration we have had - Republican or Democrat - makes the same decision - to hamstring the military professionals until civilian leadership can be brought up to speed.

The military forces of several nations have people skilled in logistics planning and expertise. Those would be the best to place in charge of such an operation.

This is the sad side of disaster relief. It happens every time.

We certainly have our own problems in the US where city, county and state officials refuse to allow FEMA or the US military to enter their area. When the civilian officials must approve every action of the professionals.

Even the governor of the State of Texas is unable to ensure a coordinated evacuation and rescue effort - when local officials refuse to respond to his requests, and actively battle in the legislature to prevent the state government from being able to overrule local decisions.

Quoting Falcon84 (Reply 72): like Pat Robertson, who is saying Haiti brought this on themselves by making a pact with the Devil.

I never worry about sick people like this. The hatred they can spew is as ugly as some of the horrors we are seeing down there.

And for each dude spewing hate there are, I believe, will be many, many more who will express concern and back it up with donations. Or will volunteer to help in some way. Or will simply pray as that is all they can do.

In Oklahoma we saw the good in people after the OCK Bombing. The acts of kindness, support and direct help is simply too large to list.

Quoting Ken777 (Reply 81): I never worry about sick people like this. The hatred they can spew is as ugly as some of the horrors we are seeing down there.

among these sick people there is Jean-Claude Duvallier aka Baby Doc. The corrupt Haitian ex-dictator torturer hosted by France now lives a lavish life between Paris and his mansion on the French Riviera. I wonder if he has got any concern about the people of his island that had to endure such a horrible tragedy. Apparently not as he seems to have remained mute.

GeoEye has a half-meter high resolution aerial photo of Port au Prince after the earthquake

http://www.geoeye.com/CorpSite/gallery/Default.aspx?gid=1

 

Norway is launching a 40 million NOK ( 7.1 million USD / 4.9 million EUR ) help package for Haiti. The money will be divided to the field hospital currently on the way from Norway, various Norwegian relief organisations operating on Haiti and the UN relief fund.

http://www.nrk.no/nyheter/verden/1.6945560


The mobile field hospital will be in Haiti by Friday and operational by Saturday.

The Norwegian foreign ministry is considering further assistance

Quoting Falcon84 (Reply 72): It can also bring out the worst in humanity-like Pat Robertson, who is saying Haiti brought this on themselves by making a pact with the Devil.

Luckily I think he gets placed in the extremely vocal category, and the extreme minority category.

Extremely vocal, of course, because he's so controversial. Thankfully, I can imagine that there are or will be people out there that will donate money, even if it's just a little, simply because they saw what Mr. Robertson said and became so angry they wanted to do all they can to spite him.

On a sad note

I received my first e-mail soliciting donations for a 'charity coordinating Haiti relief'.

The vile, evil scam artists are up and running trying to fleece well meaning people of their donations.

Do try to donate only to charities which are well known and had a verifiable on the ground presence in Haiti before the quake.

During a CNN broadcast there appears to be gunfire as mentioned by one of their staff.
This can get really ugly for coalition forces stepping into Haiti.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot-NgL1xxxM&feature=player_embedded#

Quoting L410Turbolet (Reply 69): real change will come with that US American aircraft carrier Perhaps a hospital ship would make much more sense at the moment since not even MSF based in Haiti are operational at the moment.

Right you are of course, but what I have in mind is the tons of technical gear usually on board of such an aircraft carrier, and also lots of qualified soldiers, and usually also a few helicopters. One of the priorities is to re-open the airport as soon as possible, as many fully loaded airplanes with aid-material right now are blocked.

I in fact hope that I an not up-to-date and the airport is open again.

Quoting MarSciGuy (Reply 70): The hospital ship USNS Comfort is prepping for departure within 5 days from Baltimore, MD.

This shows why Obama first sent the aircraft carrier. To prep up a hospital ship simply needs time, even if those working on it do their very best. In the meantime, the crew of the carrier can prepare for the arrival of the hospital ship. Those folks in Baltimore will take any update from their colleagues on the carrier.

Quoting ME AVN FAN (Reply 89): Quoting MarSciGuy (Reply 70): The hospital ship USNS Comfort is prepping for departure within 5 days from Baltimore, MD. This shows why Obama first sent the aircraft carrier. To prep up a hospital ship simply needs time, even if those working on it do their very best. In the meantime, the crew of the carrier can prepare for the arrival of the hospital ship. Those folks in Baltimore will take any update from their colleagues on the carrier.

The summer after I graduated from Maine Maritime Academy was when Hurricane Katrina devastated the region between New Orleans and Mobile - the Maine Maritime training ship, which generally only sails once a year for a two month training cruise, was federalized, crewed, fully supplied and departed within 4 days of the mobilization order - considering this was the first time in Maine Maritimes history for such an effort to occur (and at a small college out in the country) it was quite the accomplishment.

Sorry for being OT but the situations are at least slightly analogous...except that the USNS Comfort is a much bigger ship with a much bigger set of needs and in a major port...

Argentina has programmed a Humanitarian-relief Mission.

A Lockheed C-130 "Hercules" of the Argentine Air Force will depart today at 6pm El Palomar AFB, that will carry: Food, Medicines, Doctors, a (portable) Water Treatment Plant (the same one was sent to Chile to help people during Chaiten's eruption), Satellite Communications equipment and military personnel.

Chile will too send a humanitarian-relief mission, however I don't know what will they carry.

Saludos,

[Edited 2010-01-14 09:01:12]

Quoting D L X (Reply 42): This is looking a lot more like Hiroshima.

I was commenting to a coworker that the only difference between this and a nuclear bomb is that the rubble in this disaster is strewn in all directions rather than outward from the center. Otherwise, the devastation is just as bad.

Here at Travis AFB, word is that a C-5 will be on its way in the next day or two to Haiti with relief supplies. I considered volunteering to go with Doctors Without Borders, but I have enough health problems of my own at this moment (I'm still not able to run or jump, which might be necessary there) and so I decided that I had better leave it to others.

I'd been planning a ski vacation later this winter, but the orthopedic surgeon says she wants my Achilles to have more time before I go skiing, so I took the money I'd put aside for the vacation and donated it to Haiti. I'll just do a "staycation" at home this year.

DALLAS ― One way North Texas is helping Haiti earthquake victims is by sending water filters because so many people will need clean water just to survive.

Texas Baptist Men are loading 5,000 water filters to send to Haiti. Their challenges are getting clearance from Port-au-Prince to bring in an airplane and to get security in place to ensure proper distribution.

"The infrastructure there has been virtually destroyed,” said Dick Talley, Texas Baptist Men disaster director. “We don't have the police and fire there we would normally work with, and so it’s imperative we are working with local people who have a system in place that can protect the filters and the people doing the distribution."

They are providing filters that will be highly sought after, since they make dirty water clean and can save more lives.

"You can live a month without food, but you can live three days without water," Talley said.

Texas Baptist Men don't know yet how many volunteers they will send.

The American Red Cross is trying to send mostly money. They say for each dollar you spend, 90 percent of it will go to Haiti.

If you want to help the people of Haiti, be careful which charity you choose.

The Better Business Bureau has warned fraudulent charities will likely emerge as they did after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. You can go to the Better Business Bureau's Web site to research a charity.

Samaritan's Purse is a VERY reputable relief organization. They were some of the first people on the ground with relief after the 2004 tsunami hit.

[Edited 2010-01-14 11:26:00]

Quoting Johnboy (Reply 75): Here's the always highly offensive Robertson giving his bitter, twisted two cents on the Haiti tragedy.

Quoting FuturePilot16 (Reply 76): When I first heard it, I was so disturbed by what he said. He is a friggin lunatic who should be censured. I'm angry at his constant ridiculous statements.

Quoting Steeler83 (Reply 77): You, Robertson, sir, are NO true Christian!

You're absolutely right.

That man is pure evil and knows nothing of what he speaks. Since 2002 I've worked hundreds of flights to Port-au-Prince. Haitians are simple, salt-of-the-earth, and very religious people. They dress in their best church clothes to fly. Every time the main gear hits the ground in Port-au-Prince a sea of arms waves praises to God for a safe journey. On the news today there was footage of children huddled together singing praises to God for sparing their lives from the earthquake. To disparage people when they are in such dire circumstances is a slap in the face to all humanity.

Pat Robertson is the most vile, disgusting excuse for a human being on the earth. If Satan exists, Robertson is surely his prophet.

Quoting Kevi747 (Reply 94): That man is pure evil and knows nothing of what he speaks. Since 2002 I've worked hundreds of flights to Port-au-Prince. Haitians are simple, salt-of-the-earth, and very religious people. They dress in their best church clothes to fly. Every time the main gear hits the ground in Port-au-Prince a sea of arms waves praises to God for a safe journey. On the news today there was footage of children huddled together singing praises to God for sparing their lives from the earthquake. To disparage people when they are in such dire circumstances is a slap in the face to all humanity.

Wow. That's good to know about the folks of Haiti. My fiancee sent me a link about how Haiti became so poverty stricken. Pact with the Devil? Hardly!!

http://news.discovery.com/history/why-is-haiti-so-poor.html

That link just further enhances Mr. Robertson's credibility, or lack thereof...

It seems that the Port-au-Prince airport is not able to cope with the influx of aid. What a logistical nightmare...

"The Haitian government ... told us they are not currently accepting any flights in the Haitian air space because the ramp area at the Port-au-Prince airport is saturated," said Laura Brown, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration.

She said there were already a military aircraft and 10 civilian planes circling the airport, waiting for other flights to leave so they could get in.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=999914

Quoting L410Turbolet (Reply 96): It seems that the Port-au-Prince airport is not able to cope with the influx of aid. What a logistical nightmare... "The Haitian government ... told us they are not currently accepting any flights in the Haitian air space because the ramp area at the Port-au-Prince airport is saturated," said Laura Brown, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration. She said there were already a military aircraft and 10 civilian planes circling the airport, waiting for other flights to leave so they could get in. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.a...99914

With the ports destruction, I'd guess that until more space can be freed up at PAP they'll be landing in the DR and trucking everything (either that or helicoptering it? Yikes!

Quoting Aaron747 (Reply 83): Indeed. But the flipside of this is that daytime temperatures in the 30sC means that disposal of bodies is of utmost concern to prevent rapid spread of disease. The rate of decay speeds up significantly above temperatures of 25C or so.

I always hear how dead bodies are not a particular health hazard on their own. It is only when they are in contact with a water source that down the line is used to drink by others that it becomes a dangerous agent.

Airdrops of water to reach areas blocked by road hazards should be somewhat of a growing priority.

Quoting StasisLAX (Reply 73): it is that the entire Haitian infrastructure will need to be rebuilt, and perhaps some kind of city planning can now take place in Port Au Prince, hopefully ridding the city for it massive shanty towns with no running water or electricity, and provide for proper sanitation.

Let's be realistic, there is only one country with
- the financial means
- the personal interest
- the business interest
- the logistical capability
to master the job &
whose taxpayers will get an enormous load, comparabe to the Marshal Plan
-
you know of what country I am talking about ?!