There's Cuba.
The U.S. government said it had received permission from Cuba to fly through restricted air space on medical evacuation flights. The authorization from the government of Cuba will cut 90 minutes from the flight from the U.S. naval station at Guantanamo Bay, the White House said.
Then there's the Haitian government.
There were scant signs of help from the Haitian government, itself scattered by the 7.0-magnitude earthquake Tuesday evening. The streets were filled with beleaguered residents milling about, left with no jobs, no instructions on what to do, and no place to buy food or to take the injured. Many said they felt totally alone and saw no evidence that relief was on the way, as their mournful pleas began to give way to anger.
"The government is mute," a dismayed young Haitian said while he hurried past a body left on a traffic median. "They do nothing."
Over here, we have Rush Limbaugh who believes we should send no money to Haiti.
"It's a simple matter of self-reliance."
Fortunately, not all Americans are like Rush Limbaugh. From the first news of the quake, a Mercy Corps' blog was one of many sites where people lined up to help, and not just with money. Here are some excerpts:
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (7:00 pm), Debbie wrote:
I am so interested in humanitarian work.. If more help is needed please tell me how I can get there to help!
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (7:00 pm), jessica wrote:
please let us help! I am a nurse in Ct. we have a scheduled moblie clinic in Haiti Jan 22nd. obivously our plans will need to change. we have a full crew including medical professionals, as
well as students....already planning on going. We have our own supplies. Please just tell us where to go, we will work in whatever capacity you would like us to.
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (7:00 pm), Emily wrote:
Please contact me if you need translators for immediate rescue efforts. I speak Haitian Creole and English. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and worked in Haiti. Good luck and wishing you success. Emily
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (8:00 pm), Joelle Duhaney wrote:
I just bought one ticket to go try to help haiti.
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (8:00 pm), SalG wrote:
You have some of the best info available on this tragedy. I'm getting my credit card out now to make a donation.
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (8:00 pm), Diana Jean-Louis wrote:
My name is Diana Jean-Louis and I am haitian speak fluent in creole. I am also a social worker and would like to help and volunteer in any way I can.
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (8:00 pm), TinaHolly wrote:
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse in New York with 11 years experience in nursing. I am ready and willing to go to Haiti ASAP and help in whatever capacity I am needed. Please contact me to tell me how and where I can be used. Thank you. Tinaholly
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (8:00 pm), matthew wrote:
I lived in Haiti for two years '01-'03 and have returned every other year since. My language skills are strong and I have many other professional skills that may be of help. Most of all I am a healthy body with a strong connection to the country and people that would be willing to leave immediately in an effort to be of service in whatever ways are needed.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 (1:00 am), tom wrote:
If there is anyway I can help physically please call me up.
I am willing to drop everything and get on a plane to help these people.
I am a strong, fit, organised and intelligent young man.
Contact me if you need help Thanks
On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 (2:00 am), Athier Simo wrote:
I was in the Navy Reserves for 5 years and I'm willing to help. I speak spanish, I'm willing to help others. Thanks
On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 (3:00 am), Regine wrote:
I lived in Haiti for over 15 years and am fluent in French and Creole. I am available to help. If you need help, I'll be there. Please keep us all posted.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 (3:00 am), marie milfort wrote:
I speak fluent creole, french, and english. I have a medical bacground. I can do hard labor, translate, triage. I want to help. Please contact me.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 (3:00 am), Gerald wrote:
I am a physical therapist and I would like to volunteer for anything to help Haiti. Please let me know how I can help out.
On Thursday, January 14, 2010 (9:00 am), Kathleen wrote:
Scott,
My brother, who did Peace Corps in Haiti 2000-2002, has set up a Facebook group for Peace Corps Response Haiti Interest Group for RPCV who are mobilizing - you might want to check it out. If the link doesn't work, you could probably find it on a search. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=539264282#/group.php?...
On Thursday, January 14, 2010 (10:00 am), Renee Clugston wrote:
The best thing to do is give money, but if you think you are qualified to help in Haiti, register with http://www.cidi.org/ and they will relay your qualifications to aid agencies. God bless Haiti.
On Thursday, January 14, 2010 (4:00 pm), Keenan Long wrote:
This is a terrible tragedy and I'm very glad so many people are donating and helping out. I'm a Sophomore in high school and I just made my donation. I really wish I could go down and help but unfortunately I can't. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims of this terrible tragedy.
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (7:00 pm), Emily wrote:
Please contact me if you need translators for immediate rescue efforts. I speak Haitian Creole and English. I was a Peace Corps Volunteer and worked in Haiti. Good luck and wishing you success. Emily
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (8:00 pm), Joelle Duhaney wrote:
I just bought one ticket to go try to help haiti.
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (8:00 pm), SalG wrote:
You have some of the best info available on this tragedy. I'm getting my credit card out now to make a donation.
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (8:00 pm), Diana Jean-Louis wrote:
My name is Diana Jean-Louis and I am haitian speak fluent in creole. I am also a social worker and would like to help and volunteer in any way I can.
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (8:00 pm), TinaHolly wrote:
I am a Licensed Practical Nurse in New York with 11 years experience in nursing. I am ready and willing to go to Haiti ASAP and help in whatever capacity I am needed. Please contact me to tell me how and where I can be used. Thank you. Tinaholly
On Tuesday, January 12, 2010 (8:00 pm), matthew wrote:
I lived in Haiti for two years '01-'03 and have returned every other year since. My language skills are strong and I have many other professional skills that may be of help. Most of all I am a healthy body with a strong connection to the country and people that would be willing to leave immediately in an effort to be of service in whatever ways are needed.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 (1:00 am), tom wrote:
If there is anyway I can help physically please call me up.
I am willing to drop everything and get on a plane to help these people.
I am a strong, fit, organised and intelligent young man.
Contact me if you need help Thanks
On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 (2:00 am), Athier Simo wrote:
I was in the Navy Reserves for 5 years and I'm willing to help. I speak spanish, I'm willing to help others. Thanks
On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 (3:00 am), Regine wrote:
I lived in Haiti for over 15 years and am fluent in French and Creole. I am available to help. If you need help, I'll be there. Please keep us all posted.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 (3:00 am), marie milfort wrote:
I speak fluent creole, french, and english. I have a medical bacground. I can do hard labor, translate, triage. I want to help. Please contact me.
On Wednesday, January 13, 2010 (3:00 am), Gerald wrote:
I am a physical therapist and I would like to volunteer for anything to help Haiti. Please let me know how I can help out.
On Thursday, January 14, 2010 (9:00 am), Kathleen wrote:
Scott,
My brother, who did Peace Corps in Haiti 2000-2002, has set up a Facebook group for Peace Corps Response Haiti Interest Group for RPCV who are mobilizing - you might want to check it out. If the link doesn't work, you could probably find it on a search. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?ref=profile&id=539264282#/group.php?...
On Thursday, January 14, 2010 (10:00 am), Renee Clugston wrote:
The best thing to do is give money, but if you think you are qualified to help in Haiti, register with http://www.cidi.org/ and they will relay your qualifications to aid agencies. God bless Haiti.
On Thursday, January 14, 2010 (4:00 pm), Keenan Long wrote:
This is a terrible tragedy and I'm very glad so many people are donating and helping out. I'm a Sophomore in high school and I just made my donation. I really wish I could go down and help but unfortunately I can't. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the victims of this terrible tragedy.
