The running and wailing of people must have painted a dreadful picture on the 19th of January 2010 as a 7.0 magnitude earthquake shook Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
Over a week after the tragedy, the death toll continue to rise and hope is slimmer and slimmer for families searching for missing members. Tears are the only resort to let out the hurt. It becomes even harder to feel better when you’re hungry and thirsty with no roof over your head or a bed and blanket to keep you warm.
A number of institutions including CARE International, governments and private businesses and individuals all over the world have contributed as much as they can to help the victims. Of the nine million population of Haiti, 1.5M is affected by the quake.
The poor countries of the world are probably the ones that can truly empathize with Haiti. Filipinos would probably remember the numerous typhoons that visited the country in the previous years (Frank, Ondoy and Pepeng to name a few) and the grave destruction they brought about. We remember the horror of losing family members and what little property we have. We remember the feeling of hopelessness, maybe even anger, at that nasty twist of fate. We remember exhausting all means possible to rebuild our livelihoods, our homes and our future. We remember the people who helped us get through the toughest of times.
For Haiti, this is the time to test the humanity of the world in which it is a part. For its people, it is a time to strengthen their faith in the Higher Being, in the people of the world, in their fellowmen, and in themselves. As it discovers the strength it has within its boundaries, may be then will it be able to pull through and become a better nation than before.
richard said,
January 28, 2010 @ 4:25 AM
Calamities are inevitable. This is a test for all of us, this is a way that we can prove we have a heart by helping our brothers at the other end of the world.
Also this is a warning, the world is constantly changing and we cannot do anything to stop it. We can only prepare for what is coming in the future.
in my point of view, we need to hold on and protect ourselves in these natural destructions. Help out for those who in need. We cannot change the way things go, but observe and embrace as the world evolves around us..