The Hope of Desperation
"We have no supplies. We need surgical gloves, antibiotics, antiseptic, disinfectant. We have nothing. Not even water. We have children out here with dry mouths and no water to give them", complained one Haitian doctor. Surgeons are working desperately, amputating limbs, and conducting other remedial, life-saving operations without the benefit of anaesthetics.
The Pan American Health Organization advised that eight hospitals and health centres in the Haitian capital, devastated by Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake had either collapsed entirely or sustained damage sufficient to result in non-functional capabilities. Temporary triage 'camps' have been set up throughout the city where first-aid is being administered.
Although $268-million has been pledged by 20 countries to support Haiti and restore hope to the desperate population, aid has been slow in filtering through to those who need it. But with no medical equipment, the assistance has been ineffectual other than to urge people to hang in, with broken bones, deep gashes, and horrible pain.
Survivors beg for food and water from roving foreign reporters. "We have lost everything. We are waiting for death. We have nothing to eat, nowhere to live. We have had no help. No one has come to see us", mourned one victim, at an improvised camp at a rubbish dump, set up by survivors.
Planes and ships that have arrived from the international community, from aid organizations and through the humanitarian auspices of private companies containing rescue teams with their search dogs, heavy equipment, along with tents, water purification units, food, and telecom teams haven't been able to begin their arduous work toward rescue assistance.
The airport has been clogged with a steady influx of planes it has been incapable of receiving in an orderly manner. Until the U.S. finally persuaded Haitian authorities to surrender their inept organization. The seaport was wrecked in the earthquake, and roads were littered with rubble, affecting the delivery of aid to the hundreds of thousands of victims.
It is a scene of utter, horrendous devastation, resulting in human despair and need on an unimaginably immense scale. Brazilian UN peacekeepers are patrolling the streets to counteract the growing incidence of banditry. Knowing the while that the situation will continue to deteriorate until food and water distribution and medical aid begin to make their impact.
When a demoralized, horribly stricken population may begin to feel that their desperate need has not been overlooked by an indifferent world.
The Pan American Health Organization advised that eight hospitals and health centres in the Haitian capital, devastated by Tuesday's 7.0-magnitude earthquake had either collapsed entirely or sustained damage sufficient to result in non-functional capabilities. Temporary triage 'camps' have been set up throughout the city where first-aid is being administered.
Although $268-million has been pledged by 20 countries to support Haiti and restore hope to the desperate population, aid has been slow in filtering through to those who need it. But with no medical equipment, the assistance has been ineffectual other than to urge people to hang in, with broken bones, deep gashes, and horrible pain.
Survivors beg for food and water from roving foreign reporters. "We have lost everything. We are waiting for death. We have nothing to eat, nowhere to live. We have had no help. No one has come to see us", mourned one victim, at an improvised camp at a rubbish dump, set up by survivors.
Planes and ships that have arrived from the international community, from aid organizations and through the humanitarian auspices of private companies containing rescue teams with their search dogs, heavy equipment, along with tents, water purification units, food, and telecom teams haven't been able to begin their arduous work toward rescue assistance.
The airport has been clogged with a steady influx of planes it has been incapable of receiving in an orderly manner. Until the U.S. finally persuaded Haitian authorities to surrender their inept organization. The seaport was wrecked in the earthquake, and roads were littered with rubble, affecting the delivery of aid to the hundreds of thousands of victims.
It is a scene of utter, horrendous devastation, resulting in human despair and need on an unimaginably immense scale. Brazilian UN peacekeepers are patrolling the streets to counteract the growing incidence of banditry. Knowing the while that the situation will continue to deteriorate until food and water distribution and medical aid begin to make their impact.
When a demoralized, horribly stricken population may begin to feel that their desperate need has not been overlooked by an indifferent world.
Labels: Human Relations, World Crises
posted by Pieface | 1:50 PM
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