Haiti has just suffered a 7.0 earthquake. I have a brother there. If anyone has any info about what's going on there it would be great if you could post it here. Thanks.

http://www.nytimes.com/ap...ml?_r=2&hp

Wendy you probably already have this, in case you don't.

WASHINGTON - The State Department has set up a telephone number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti.

An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.0 struck the Caribbean nation Tuesday.

The toll-free number to call for information about family members in Haiti is 1-888-407-4747. The State Department advises that some callers may receive a recording because of heavy volume of calls.

Officials say the U.S. Embassy in the capital of Port-au-Prince is still in the early stages of contacting American citizens and notes that communications are difficult within Haiti in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Wow, Wendy. I hope your brother is ok.

[This message has been edited by Vicky Strom (1/13/2010)]

My friend is adopting children from Haiti. She plans on going there next week. She is looking for filtration water bottles.
I will post a link if anyone would like to help the orphanage. They like the rest of Haiti are in need of food and water.
Sorry I don't have information for you! I truly hope you get word that your brother is ok!!


Wendy, There is also a place on Facebook, It's a group called earthquake Haiti, where you can post a picture of your brother to see if anyone has seen him. You can do that on www.cnn.com too. if you scroll down a little way on the left there's a link under U.S. that says "looking for loved ones in Haiti?". Hope this helps...

[This message has been edited by Kacy (1/13/2010)]

He's fine. We heard from him last night via someone's satellite phone. The place is a mess though.

That's GREAT news!

Well, I guess it's all relative. He was in the UN building when it collapsed and spent the night digging through the rubble with his bare hands and pulling out people, both alive and dead. It's absolutely horrible.

Your brother sounds like a hero! I am so sorry to hear of his anguish. I hope he has a water filter and plenty of food on hand so he continues to thrive.

I hear that the government of Haiti is very corrupt, and that a lot of aide that will be sent might not get into the hands of the people who need it. I want to do something-can we send things directly to your brother, or has the whole infrastructure of the country (like the postal system) collapsed? Where is the person who is going to the orphanage living? Maybe a suitcase with food and water and first aide materals and clothing (and the $25 fee for an extra suitcase) could be given directly to her?

Everything is so crazy there right now. There's no knowing how things are going to work there for awhile. His cell phone was stolen and we really have no way to contact him. We just hope the military is keeping track of him.

My friend lives here in Miles City. She's not sure if/when she will be able to go. I will be sure to keep you posted! Thank you for your willingness to help!

If you want to contribute I'd recommend giving to the Red Cross. They are already out of supplies in Haiti. As far as the corrupt government goes I'd say they don't have much of one left anyway. The Red Cross operates separately from the government I think.

I already did one of those Paypal Donations to the Red Cross. Here is some contact information in case anyone else wants to (It doesn't have to be a lot- I figure a lot of little donations can really add up)

"HELP HAITI! Anything Helps!

1.american.redcross.org
2.UNICEF 1-800-4UNICEF
3.Operation USA opusa.org 800-678-7255
4.Mercy Corps 888-256-1900

Don't turn away. RESPOND. The faster we respond, the faster we relieve devastation"... I know we all may not have much, but give what you can...and keep those who are suffering in your thoughts!

I found this information on ABC13.com here in Houston. Good places to donate, if you wish.

YELE HAITI EARTHQUAKE FUND
Text YELE to 501501 to donate $5 via your cell phone
www.yele.org

AMERICAN RED CROSS
Text "HAITI" to "90999" to make a $10 donation.
2025 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
(800) REDCROSS (800-257-7575)
www.redcross.org

AMERICARES
88 Hamilton Avenue
Stamford, Conn. 06902
(800) 486-4357
www.americares.org

MERCY CORPS
Dept. W
P.O. Box 2669
Portland, Ore., 97208-2669
(888) 256-1900
donate.mercycorps.org

OXFAM AMERICA
226 Causeway St., 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02114-2206
(800) 77-OXFAM (776-9326)

THE SALVATION ARMY
615 Slaters Lane
P.O. Box 269
Alexandria, VA 22313

SAVE THE CHILDREN
Haiti Earthquake Children in Emergency Fund
54 Wilton Road
Westport, Conn. 06880
(800) 728-3843

WORLD VISION
Haiti Earthquake Relief
P.O. Box 9716
Federal Way, Wash. 98063-9716
(888) 511-6548

CARE
151 Ellis Street
Atlanta, Ga. 30303
(800) 521-CARE (521-2273)

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS USA/MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES (MSF)
333 7th Avenue, 2nd Floor
New York, NY 10001-5004
(888) 392-0392

INTERNATIONAL ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN CHARITIES
P.O. Box 630225
Baltimore, Md. 21263-0225
(877) 803-4622

U.S. FUND FOR UNICEF
125 Maiden Lane
New York, N.Y. 10038
(800) FOR-KIDS (367-5437)

PARTNERS IN HEALTH
PIH.org

WORLD FOOD PROGRAM
WFP.org

FOOD FOR THE POOR
FoodForThePoor.org

FOOD FOR THE HUNGRY
FH.org

I saw on the morning news at 6am that this Click to Pay campaign raised $1 million for the Red Cross overnight (or over 24 hours anyway).

Have you heard from your brother, Wendy?

No more word but the Pentagon is keeping tabs on its people and they have contacted his wife to tell her he's ok. We're just keeping our fingers crossed.

I hope the Pentagon can keep track of the men and women serving in Haiti. I am sure, as with your family Wendy, that the spouses and family are very worried. The devastation in Haiti is frightening. (and I thought it was bad after hurricane Ike hit us.)

Does any one know of a way to send suplies direct to Haiti? I have cloths and things the kids have out grown, woudl love to mail them out there. But is there any one to mail them to?
Wendy, is there a mailing address to your brother? I bet the would be able to use whatever we all sent.

While your gesture is appreciated please don't try to send things directly to Haiti. I don't think Port-au-Prince's postal service is working right now and the whole place is in chaos and rubble. Your package wouldn't arrive; the only planes landing are relief planes. They don't want to deal with mail, for God's sake. We don't even know where my brother is at the moment much less his address. Please, send support directly to the agencies that have already been posted on this thread. That's the best you can do right now. I don't think people realize how horrible it is there.

Update: We heard from my brother today. He's still ok. That's about all the information we received. So far, ok.

Why is it that no matter how bad it is in the U.S we always jump at the chance to help someone else in a country that most people could not point out on a map. But when something happens so our own country we just pretend it didn't happen and sit around waiting for a disaster in another country, so that we can help " those poor people" in whatever country?

Who pretends US disasters don't happen and won't help? The people in Haiti are suffering. Doesn't matter where people live---we must help them.

Its because of attitudes like yours, prospector.

And besides that, do you really know NO ONE comes to our aid when we have a crisis in the US? Or do you just like to suppose no one has helped us to explain your own indifference to a humanitarian crisis in other countries?

I was flipping through the channels the other night and for some reason stopped on Bill Oh Really. He was bitching about how the US can't become a "nanny state" and appeared unmoved by the crisis in Haiti. In fairness, I only watched a few seconds of his broadcast, but I think I got a "fair and balanced" picture of his attitude.

[This message has been edited by Bob Netherton II (1/17/2010)]

prospector86 has a point. Look at the whole New Orleans thing. Did Africa come help us, did Europe come help us, did those damn Germans (who we have helped throught out time) even think of helping us? NO! We, USA stated people did what we could. So there are points out there.
Also, point it out on a map? I agree there too. Ask some dumb 24 Y/O where it is. I bet they dont know. Or just randomly ask them where another place is. Where is Thailand? Well, maybe South America! HAHA, really! Come on!
So there is points to what he is talking about. To each his own.

[This message has been edited by Toni Rentschler (1/17/2010)]

Here is a Wiki article that lacks footnotes, but as far far as I'm concerned, proves my point.
http://en.wikipedia.org/w...ne_Katrina

From that article regarding Germany:
Two German Army Airbus planes landed in Florida with about 25 tonnes of food rations to be transported to the disaster area. Further planes were prepared. Germany offered airlifting, vaccination, water purification, medical supplies including German air force hospital planes, emergency electrical power and pumping services. The aid was ready to go on German air force and chartered planes. A team of specialists from THW (German federal agency for technical relief) were planning technical measures and logistics in close contact with local authorities. A team of 89 flood fighting specialists and 5 medical personnel were dispatched from Ramstein Air Base to Louisiana by the United States Air Force. They brought 15 high performance pumps (10 pumps with a capacity of 15,000 litres per minute and 5 pumps with a capacity of 5,000 litres per minute) and 28 vehicles.[18] On Saturday, September 10 at 4:30 p.m., the THW started the first 15,000 litre pump at pumping-station No. 19. Three other 15,000 litres pumps followed. The drainage of New Orleans would have taken much more time if these pumps and the THW specialists had not been provided.[19]
The Minister-President of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate addressed a letter to the commanders of the American forces stationed in his state offering financial support to those affected by the flooding.
Another German Air Force cargo plane carrying several thousand military rations (MRE) was denied entry into US airspace since, according to US authorities, they were not certified BSE-free. This was disputed by German authorities, pointing out that they were BSE-free according to NATO rules, that US soldiers would eat them regularly during joint operations (e.g. Afghanistan) and that these meals fully complied to UN rules.[20]

[This message has been edited by Bob Netherton II (1/17/2010)]

Actually, several European countries offered aid during Katrina.

I know where Haiti is. I know where Thailand is. I know where Sri Lanka and Dafur and many other countries are because I am an educated, concerned human being who feels for the suffering of others and want to help. Oddly enough, I am not a Christian so I can't account for my sympathetic nature and desire to help those in need.

If you wish to let people die in agony because you are a selfish jerk, that is certainly your privilege. Just don't be surprised when people call you on being a selfish jerk.

[This message has been edited by Amorette Allison (1/17/2010)]

I only wonder why it took the wingnuts so long to make their views known in this thread. Also surprised it is so limited

Some years back, there was a commentary, by a Canadian I think, that essentially stated that the US always helps other countries in crisis but no one ever helps the US when we face a crisis. The righties(I remember Paul Harvey lugging it out a time or two) love to run this up the flag now and then.

I also see Slush Limpaugh bitching about Obama's tabbing of the two previous presidents to aid in fund raising for the crisis.

Amorette, you being so educated... Have you thought to help out the dumb 24 Y/O. It might help the wolrd to be a better place.
I just stated that he had a point. There will be a point to everyones thoughts. You just have to find them.
Also, if there is another person out there willing to help, let them too. Not everyone has money, not everyone has something to give. What I can give are the things that I feel they can use. I dont havemoney, I have to raise my kids. But the things they have out grown, not stained, not ripped... Or anything like that I would love to pass to them.
And I did find a lady who has children there in Haiti. I am mailingher my items and she will be takign a plain to Haiti at the end of the month. So I did find what I was looking for.

Well, first and for most I admit I'm a jerk, a$$hole, what ever name you want to give me, the diffrence between me and you all is I accpect what I am.
Bob-I happen to think Bill o'riely is a great guy. and we shouldn't become a nanny state, but sense we're the world police already why not become nanny's too. And the internet can tell you all sorts of things, good job being able to look it up, still waiting for you to put a map on here with Haiti colored in crayon for me. And I could just sit here and be an arm chair complainer who never goes anywere, or I could be guy who served 6 years in the army with 4 of them being away from the U.S and say the world for what it really is witch is full of money grubbing people that bad mouth our great country untill their own counrty needs help then start praising the US untill we come, help, then leave, then they go back to hateing us.
Amorette- it's easy to go after you, I know all about you and your better then everyone look at life. So I'll keep it short, Just don't talk. Maybe if you can do that I'll be civil to you. Because I already don't like Bob.

Since you're a jerk and a$$hole, prospector, I'm glad you don't like me.

I know a lot of people who've been in the service, jerk. Most of them don't feel the need to drag out their service time whenever they think they need it to prove a point.

Well, at least he learnd something there. If you have a point, make it be heard!

Well Bobby, I thought you were going to invite me over for a beer and we could talk our problems out, guess not. I want to meet Toni sometime, I like her.

Prospector
It is a shame that during your six years in the army they didn't send you to spell and puncuation school, or at least teach you how to download a free spell checker. But then again you wouldn't fit in with the rest of the ditto heads and O Reily fans if you did. You forgot to mention Sean Hannity, and how Faux news is fair and balanced.

But I AM better than everyone! Heeheeheehee.

Yea, Lorin, the army was to busy sending me to place's that have problems the U.S thinks we need to fix teach me gramar and spelling, but don't worry your tax dollars did send me to cool place's I''m sure you never heard of so I'm ok with that. Just tell me what is wrong with careing for my counrty men more then somebody in a counrty I don't have any thing to do with. My money will be spent only on Americans, American made products, not anything else. The little bible thumpers who want me to help a starving african can just leave me alone and I'll be just fine. So you all can help somebody you don't know, feel good about doing it, while you walk past a homeless man in your own counrty and just act like he's not there.
Amorette-Just keep thinking you know everything about everything, tell people that pretend to listen, then die a bitter old hag who never had anyone to love them because you don't know how to keeps your thoughts to yourself.

I probably have heard of them, because I learned to read and write. May have even been there. I also spent well almost six years in the service. But during the time I was in they wasn't sending us to a lot of different places I spent twenty two months in one country. that is what we called it (In Country). I got to come home almost four months early, and it wasn't in a bag,I just walk a little funny, so I guess I was one of the lucky ones. Like I told my nephew who went to the first Gulf War, we went longer between showers than your war lasted. anyway enough of that I don't mean to put down anyone who served their country no matter how they served. But because of the time I spent in S.E. Asia I have more feeling for my fellow man, not less.

heath must have forgotten his login.

My money will be spent only on Americans, American made products, not anything else

Really, prospector86? Just the fact that you are using a computer to post here means you are probably using some foreign made components. If you own a car, even from a US manufacturer, it has at least a few foreign made components. I daresay your house is full of foreign made items. You can hide in your bunker with your money-stuffed mattress. We won't ask anything of you.

Well it doesn't really matter to me if Prospector can spell or use correct grammar, I want to thank him for helping to protect our freedom and rights for 6 years. Therefore, I believe he has the right to his own freedom of speech. I am not saying I agree with him 100% but...

Jane -

You're right. Prospector certainly has the right to be an idiot.

And I am thankful for my right to call him just that.

Okay, okay. I'll say something righteous and hopeful for a change.

But nobody said nothing about locking horns with no tigers.

+1 for Abe, by the way.

I want to thank him for helping to protect our freedom and rights for 6 years.

Uniform != Hero.

"My money will be spent only on Americans, American made products, not anything else."

prospector86 - Do you drive a car? Do you only fill your car up with gasoline made from American oil?

No, I don't drive, I feel that it destroys the world with all the pollution that they put out, I just start out 5 min. early and walk.

Thanks Moriarty!!, um, I mean Brian.

This thread has been highjacked. Let's get back to the topic at hand. Support the relief efforts in Haiti any way you can.

Thanks for getting us back.

Bump for a cause.

As most people probably heard they got hit again by after shock. Not as bad, but still causeing problems.

Thanks for getting us back on topic, Wendy. It was upsetting to read that Haiti experienced another quake. Yes, they need help!! It is best to help/donate to agencies that are already established in Haiti and NOT through their government.

[This message has been edited by Vicky Strom (1/20/2010)]

http://www.cnn.com/video/...cnn?hpt=C2

Here are some photos my brother sent from Haiti. The first one shows where he was when the UN building collapsed. The second one is during a food distribution event.

Wow! I just heard this morning that the death toll was over 200,000. I don't think those of us in the U.S. can even imagine something so devestating.

Is that big white blotch half his office building?!?!?!?! Do the words "Holy Crap" even begin to express my reaction.

Yep, Amorette. He was where the red arrow is pointing when the quake hit. The other rubble is the rest of the building. I'll try to post a larger version so you can see it better. How about this?



[This message has been edited by Wendy Wilson (2/5/2010)]

that is one lucky young man to have survived that...WOW