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Israel, Haiti - A Contrast In Life, Death And A Desperate Plea For Help
By
Joel Leyden Jerusalem ---- February 4, 2010…… Having just arrived back from Haiti, I will attempt to transcend our soft, template existence here in Israel and articulate what life is like in Haiti. Many have described being in Haiti as having descended into a deep, dark nightmare. This would not be an accurate assessment. One awakens from a nightmare. Haiti is no nightmare. It is hell on earth. Upon arrival at home in Israel one goes to switch on the light. In Haiti, there is no home. What is left is either rubble or a home so damaged and cracked by a devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that one does not dare to enter. There may be a switch to turn on the light. But there is no electricity. If one is lucky. Extremely lucky, they would have a gas operated electric generator. Only the wealthy can afford these 3-5,000 dollar machines. Hungry? The refrigerator does not work. One can only hope for canned foods - if one can find canned foods.
Thirsty? Only in the past two or three days have water trucks started to enter into communities in Port au Prince. And even then, you need to boil the water. One needs gas for that. There is no gas. Haitians look for and buy wood. They cut down their own trees to create light and heat at night. Heat which may perhaps boil water for 3 minutes to destroy whatever germs and bacteria floating inside.
How about going out to eat? The restaurants have either collapsed or are closed. Perhaps take a ride outside of Haiti? There is some gas, but many of the cars have been so damaged that they remain glued to the walls that have caved around them. Maybe take a bus to the Dominican Republic? No way. For those who have passports, many have been destroyed in the rubble. The majority do not have passports nor the money to escape these streets of death. Streets for which skeleton dogs, goats and pigs roam freely among starving children and growing sewage. Going to bed? One would be lucky to find a tent with a mattress. Kerosene lamps once reserved for romantic evenings and camping, are now used to find one's way to the bathroom. But as there is no running water, one must use an outhouse crawling with cockroaches or find a field where they can relieve themselves. Shopping? The clothes stores have collapsed and or have been looted of all their stock. Entertainment? No electricity means no TV. No movies. No popcorn. Yes, if you have batteries one can turn on the radio. Two radio stations in Haiti are now operative. Going to work? There is no work to go to. Unless you are a policeman or a doctor, nurse or translator who has volunteered to work at one of the many mobile tent hospitals set up by an NGO from Israel, Columbia, the US, Italy or France. The men sit outside on white plastic chairs at tables playing cards or Monopoly. The women carry on their heads whatever supplies they can find. The children, depressed and lethargic, search for paint or crayons to draw with. They can't stroll to a nearby park, as these parks have now turned into tent cities. Dead bodies are still piled up in many of the streets. The stench can be smelled miles away. Tall, wooden light and electric poles are either down or standing like the Tower of Pisa.
Perhaps move out to the country side? The exodus of Haitians who have for dozens of years migrated to Port au Prince are now seeking to set up their tents miles away from this once famous Port city and market. But the poverty is so severe outside of Port au Prince, families stay behind waiting for the large non-profit organizations to distribute food. Something which is not happening yet. The children stare into the darkness. Lucky if they manage to cry. Most are severely malnourished with bloated stomachs. Their parents, if alive, beg the NGO's for work, for food, for water. In Israel, one gets upset over their bank overdraft or the Islamic terror attacks from Gaza. Bombs placed on beaches as the IDF sends hundreds of humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza daily. I don't mean in any manner to minimize the unprovoked Islamic terror threats to "infidel" Jews and Christians. I do choose to accent that Israel is a poor country, one in three children live in poverty. But they do live. In Israel, one can choose to go to the beach, the mountains, the desert or a nearby Chinese or Middle-Eastern restaurant. In Haiti,
there is no choice. Lastly, I heard birds singing today on Ahuza Street in Ra'anana, Israel. A joyous sound that I had not noticed, which had been absent for the past two weeks of my working with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Flying Aid in Haiti.
Israel Flying Aid brought to Haiti medicine, food, water and even medical clowns to treat the children for trauma and rape. IFA even rebuilt an orphanage within a matter of days. But for all the good that these Israel volunteers who had risked their lives against falling buildings, disease and roaming gangs, it was less than a drop in a very, very large bucket. Haiti Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive has suggested to his Parliament to set up a crisis committee to confront the disaster and undertake reconstruction. Haitians continue to complain about delays in food deliveries and lack of coordination between authorities and humanitarian organizations that are working in Haiti. Hundreds of people demonstrated in the poor areas of Petion Ville yesterday and today, demanding that their need for food and houses are met. Former US President Bill Clinton, has been asked by UN chief Ban Ki-moon to help lead international aid efforts to the Caribbean nation. But please
do not wait for Bellerive or Clinton. If you are a doctor, nurse, medic or social worker, especially one who is fluent in French, please call your local NGO and volunteer for the next flight to Haiti. Make sure to get shots for tetanus, typhoid and malaria and bring disinfectant alcohol gel to wash your hands and face. The situation is not under control. But with your essential, professional help you can make a difference. We can create a path back to life for the people in Haiti if we, the world public acts - not with talk and songs - but with direct and immediate action. Take a flight to the Dominican Republic and travel to Haiti by road with canned food, bottled water, clothing, tents, flashlights, solar panels, diapers, toilet paper and hundreds of gas driven electric generators. Bring crayons, coloring books, DVD players, movies for children and soft, fluffy dolls for the children. Most of all, bring your smiles of hope, of life, of a better tomorrow. The people of Haiti are waiting for you.
Israeli Flying Aid (IFA) is a non profit, volunteer-based, non-governmental organization (NGO) that aims to provide humanitarian life saving aid and relief to communities in areas stricken by natural disaster or territorial conflicts. Israel Flying Aid reaches out to populations that for a variety of reasons are unable to receive help from formal international aid organizations such as the Burmese Delta survivors of cyclone "Nargis". The professional experts of IFA provide emergency assistance in three aspects: food, medical aid, and post- trauma for those who suffered loss. IFA is dedicated to providing supplies and assistance for every individual in need, and to transcending political differences, prejudices, race, nationality and creed. IFA, which was established in 2005, has an uncompromising obligation to the victims of disaster and not to their countries, governments, militias, or military that may prevent international assistance to victims. IFA chooses to deliver aid to communities that are hostile toward Israel, such as Iraq, Pakistan, Sudan, Indonesia and others. Hundreds of IFA volunteers, who leave their families on short notice and risk their lives as they are dispatched to the most remote areas of the world in order to help those most in need, are brave individuals who represent the heart of Israel. Israel Flying Aid reaches out on behalf of the Jewish people in the spirit of peace, love, and compassion. IFA is placing an urgent appeal to the global public to assist in finding and treating children in Haiti by sending donations to Israel Discount Bank, branch 199, account # 57797, SWIFT: IDBLILIT. The above news story was edited and SEO optimized by the Leyden Communications Internet Marketing, Digital PR, New Media, Crisis Communications Group www.IsraelPr.com with sponsorship for coverage of the Haiti earthquake disaster by the Bernard Leyden Memorial Foundation, Michael Cherney Foundation and the Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation. The Michael Cherney (Mikhail Chernoy) Foundation renders help new arrivals to Israel, victims of catastrophes, terrorist acts and to low-income victims of terror in other countries. The Michael Cherney Foundation is also involved in the news, media and information effort with regards to providing facts on Israel democracy and Islamic terror. The Rochelle and Richard Maize Foundation is a philanthropic organization that supports and contributes volunteer and financial resources to causes locally in the community and worldwide by supporting meaningful programs focusing on art, culture, family services, humanitarian and health care that work to help people live more fulfilling lives. Richard Maize has generously supported organizations and causes including the American Cancer Society, Vista Del Mar Child and Family Services, Hurricane Katrina, Los Angeles Police Foundation, and Cedars Sinai Board of Governors. More Information on the humanitarian efforts of Israel Flying Aid in Haiti can be found through Facebook, YouTube and Twitter at Israel4Haiti.com.
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