As the images of devastation unfold over the Internet, on television and print media there is a great desire stirred within people to help.
Recently on the television news there was a story about a group of caring individuals volunteering to go to Haiti but not finding a way to get there. They talked about the people who were dying while they were waiting here for someone to fly them to the Caribbean island. Unfortunately it is not that easy.
Tens of thousands of personnel from dozens of countries around the world have arrived in Haiti to perform rescue, medical aid, provide food and water, re-establish communications networks, clear debris, re-establish a viable government, and start rebuilding.
The earthquake knocked the main airport out of service and closed the main shipping port. American air force personnel arrived to set up a portable radar and control centre. Hundreds of military and charter flights started to arrive immediately bringing highly trained urban search and rescue teams from the USA, Europe, and even Iceland. Medical teams were arriving from Canada, USA, Mexico, Europe, the United Nations. Various NGOs (non-government organizations) that have been operating in Haiti for many years such as the Red Cross, World Vision, Salvation Army and others were ramping up their response. Other experienced and equipped groups such as Global Medic, with significant experience in responding to disasters sent teams down.
With so many responders and an even greater need the area is divided up geographically with teams assigned specific neighbourhoods and communities to operate in. Travel is difficult with road blocked by debris and a lack of fuel for vehicles.
But there is a very important point: all of these teams are self sufficient - they bring their own food, water, accommodation (tents), rescue/medical equipment, communications, translators, security, transportation and even fuel.
One cannot just pack their suitcase, ask for a flight and expect a hotel to accommodate them when they get there. If you are not properly equipped, trained and self sufficient, you then become more of a burden than a help.
I recall a media story after Hurricane Katrina, where a well meaning and caring Canadian woman loaded the trunk of her car with blankets the day after the Hurricane and headed south. She was upset that she was stopped at the US border as they told her that her good intent wasn't sufficient, so she went to the media who gave her 5 minutes of fame.
If you are serious about making a commitment to respond large scale disaster then make a commitment to an organization who responds: Canadian Red Cross Disaster Relief, Global Medic (http://www.globalmedic.ca/), World Vision, Doctors Without Borders, Oxfam International, etc. Find out what the prerequisites are, volunteer for the training and put the preparation in now.
What can you do right now? Donate!
Make a donation to an organization who is actively involved in the Haiti recovery. http://www.globalmedic.ca/, http://www.redcross.ca/, http://www.worldvision.ca/, http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/,
Rebuilding Haiti will take many years. There will be a need for volunteers with construction experience, carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electrical, small engine repair, solar/wind power generation, etc.
A long term demand for nursing and medical assistance will continue for those who are recovering from injuries and in stabilizing the medical system again as several hospitals were destroyed.
There are many groups who operate orphanages, schools and community supports that will require volunteers.
Just because you can't go today doesn't mean you can't make a difference later. But start planning, training and preparing now.
