About 45,000 American's were in Haiti during the time the earthquake hit. Many of which are missionaries from chruches in the U.S. Anxious parents and family members of loved ones in Haiti are waiting for contact from them. Many mission groups, along with college students make up the majority of the American population in Haiti at the time of the quake. A message from one of the churches websites reassured families that it is perfectly normal for there to be a two to three day lag after a major natural disaster such as this. As the death toll climbs, more bodies are being found both dead and alive. There are many survival stories of American missionaries being dug out of ruble they have been under for more than 10 hours. Two parents of children who were recoverd from ruble stated during a press conference that others need to focus on the people still missing more than the people being found. There are many more people buried underneath the ruble that our children to parents also.
As much as I care about American's being found and safe, I think it's a little strange that we're focusing on the American's in Haiti instead of the native people of Haiti who account for a much larger number. Sometimes I feel like American's think they are more important, or "more worth saving." The country of Haiti has been devastated and it is going to take a huge effort to clean it up. This effort has to come from other countries as well. Haiti is most definately not the richest country and without other's help, there is no way they are going to be able to restore their country.
No comments:
Post a Comment