Port-au-Prince Devastated; Haitian Red Cross Estimates 45,000 – 50,000 Dead

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In this report, TransAfrica calls for humanitarian assistance to Haiti. Recent polling indicates that most Americans are deeply concerned about Haiti and nearly half plan to make a donation to assist those impacted by the catastrophe. 

Summary and Recommendations for Recovery “The country does not have the infrastructure or resources to deal with a crisis of this magnitude, the U.S. and the international community must provide immediate medical, humanitarian, search and rescue, and additional supports as requested by the government of Haiti,” --Nicole Lee, President of TransAfrica Forum. Summary January 12, 2010, Haiti, was hit with a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, its most severe in 200 years. The epicenter of the quake was approximately 10 miles south of Port-au-Prince, the country’s capital and home to over 2 million people. The city is devastated and the Haitian Red Cross estimates that 45,000 – 50,000 are dead. At this time, basic supplies -- food, water, and shelter, as well as search and recue equipment -- are the major needs. A majority of the city’s population is sleeping in parks and on the streets, fearful of additional building collapse. According to a Reuters report: "Money is worth nothing right now, water is the currency." Relief supplies, along with search and rescue squads are arriving. Some groups, for example, Partners in Health, Doctors Without Borders, along with Cuba have doctors on the ground and have been treating victims since the quake struck. The U.S. government reports that some 2,200 Marines are en route as the military plans to assist with the delivery of humanitarian supplies, as well as security, and search and rescue missions. At least six U.S. military ships, including the hospital ship, are expected to assist. President Barack Obama has pledged 100 million in support to Haiti. The World Bank indicates that it will pledge a $100 million grant, Britain has pledged $10 million, and the Canadian government made an immediate pledge of $5 million with the offer to match charitable donations from Canadians up to $50 million. A SMALL VICTORY! Thanks to you and the work of thousands throughout the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security announced this afternoon that Haitians living in the United States on January 12, 2010 are now eligible for Temporary Protective Status! This is a significant victory; since January 2009 U.S. immigration judges have issued deportation orders to over 30,000 undocumented Haitians. Temporary protected status (TPS) is granted by the United States (Homeland Security Department) to eligible nationals of countries that cannot safely return to their homelands because of armed conflict, environmental disaster, or other extraordinary and temporary conditions. Haiti clearly fits this description. Haitians living in the United States have and will continue to make significant financial and other contributions to their families in Haiti. They provide critical information, analysis, and guidance to the advocacy community. Now that the threat of deportation is removed, Haitians living in the United States can continue their significant contributions to their families in Haiti and to our communities here. News updates are posted regularly on the web, click here for links to several media outlets that are providing frequent reports. Additionally, TransAfrica Forum has created a blog and daily posts updates on the situation in Haiti and summaries like this to ensure that you have the most recent information and recommended activities. In the United States advocates and legislators are already beginning to discuss the need for a major recovery plan for the country, along the lines of a Marshall Plan for Haiti. “The people of Haiti are only just beginning to recover from a decade of economic, environmental, and political shocks. The global recession, increases in international food prices, and natural disasters, including four hurricanes in 2008, have undermined the country’s already weak infrastructure and increased poverty in a country already the poorest in the western hemisphere,” according to Nicole Lee, President of TransAfrica Forum. “The country does not have the infrastructure or resources to deal with a crisis of this magnitude, the U.S. and the international community must provide immediate medical, humanitarian, search and rescue, and additional supports as requested by the government of Haiti, along with longer-term recovery funds,” Lee continued. - TransAfrica Forum, www.transafricaforum.org, January 15, 2010