News on Haiti

I'm sure everyone has been glued to their screens keeping up with the news in Haiti. I beg you all to STOP! Mainstream media is portraying my people as perpetual victims as always. They are portraying the U.S. presence there as positive when in actuality it is becoming an occupation. Please, if you want news on Haiti watch Democracy Now. All the food, money and supplies you have been sending through organizations is NOT getting through the airport. The U.S. has taken control of the airport and is not letting through the supplies that people desperately need.  If you can, please donate your money DIRECTLY to a family in need. It doesn't have to mine. I'm sure we are all a couple degrees away from somebody who has family in Haiti (especially in NYC).

UPDATE! Family members found!

By some miracle of the universe ALL of my family members in Haiti have been found alive! We are SO relieved and grateful for this huge blessing. It's hard to feel joy though. So many have died and many more are suffering. The situation in Haiti is so dire, now that I know my family is alive, I worry about their day to day. Have they eaten? Do they have water? Where are they sleeping? Are they afraid?

My mother, who is a nurse, has gone down to Haiti to help where she can. Before she left, I transferred the money we've raised so far to her account so that she can give it to my family. I haven't heard from her since Tuesday, but my spirit tells me she is safe.

Fanmi

Stanley, 5

Melissa, 6, with her dad, my uncle, Walter Pickering

me and Keith, 4

Ask President Obama to Grant TPS to Haitians

President Obama has temporarily stopped deportations to Haiti. But Haitians need more. They need the ability to work to support their families and send monies to support their families in Haiti without worry of immigration detentions. Ask President Obama to Grant Temporary Protected Status to Haitian Nationals with a specification to stop all deportations and grant work permits. Here is a Sample Letter to Obama: Grant TPS to Haitians. 

List of Requested Items for the Earthquake Victims

MEDICAL/HEALTH SUPPLIES:

- Water Filter units - (Bio-sand)

- Water Purification tablets
(Acquatab, WaterMakertm Chlor-Floc® , waterguard, et al)

- Rehydration salts

- Anti-diarrhea

- Anti-decongestants

- Antipyretics (to lower fever)

- Malaria medicine

- Typhoid medicine

- Hygienic Kits

- Antibiotics

- Anti-allergy medication

- Anti-parasite medication

- Skin treatments: antibacterial & anti-fungus (Mycology) ointments, powders, lotions, creams

- Pain relievers: Tylenol, aspirin, ect
- Eye drops, saline solution

- vitamins

- Insect (Mosquito) Repellent

- Sterile and anti septic materials

- Disinfectants: alcohol, ointments, hydrogen peroxide

- Soaps, Detergents

- Chlorine bleach

- Medical clinics accessories and materials: Disposal syringes,
bandages, latex gloves, gauze, tape, cotton balls, pads, etc

- Bedding (blankets, sheets, sleeping bags, tarps, tents, plastic sheeting and cots & folding beds),

- Tarpaulin – of any size, preferably 10X10 or larger. It is used for both roofing and flooring, and

- Purification units.

FOODS DONATIONS REQUESTED: Rice, beans (dried only), cooking oil, Sugar, Corn Flour, Nutritional bars, fruit & nut bars, cereal bars. Drinking water (Cases or six- packs at least, no single bottles), Baby food, formula Milk—powdered (long-life, no cans). NO CAN FOODS PLEASE unless it’s non-perishable and the lid is a removal lift-off top that does not require a can-opener and it's already boxed.

PERSONAL HYGIENE GOODS: Toothpaste, tooth brushes, deodorant, sanitary napkins, soap, disposable diapers and brand new underwear and new hand towels.

OTHER ITEMS: Tea Light candles & quality batteries (AA & D). Flashlights, lanterns with batteries, can openers, NO USED CLOTHING, please.

MONEY DONATIONS:
Those who wish to make tax deductible $ donations,  please send a tax-deductible donation to: IFCO/Haiti Relief 418 West 145th Street, New York NY 10031

New York Drop Off:
EVENING DROP-OFF HOURS ARE MON. & WED. 6:30-8:30 P.M.
HAITIAN WOMEN FOR HAITIAN REFUGEES
335 Maple Street, 2nd Floor, Brooklyn, NY (this is not a mailing address) (718) 735-4660 Please use rear entrance on Lincoln Road between Nostrand and New York Avenue. Enter through St. Francis Church parking lot

DAYTIME DROP-OFF HOURS ARE MON. - FRI. 11:00-4:00 P.M. 

Massive Earthquake in Haiti

"The area of Kafou is severely affected, is the epicenter of devastation...the population of Port au Prince has just been REDUCED, don't know by about how much. Everyone, rich and poor, built on the mountains, the mountains are down! This is going back to the ground zero. Back to the 1804 beginning."

Haiti National Palace collapses (Source: Haitifeed.com, see also HLLN website)

Around 4:53 p.m on January 12, 2010, a massive earthquake, registering 7.0 on the Richter scale, rocked Haiti, striking just off the heavily populated Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince. "U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) geophysicist Kristin Marano called it the strongest earthquake since 1770 in what is now Haiti." (See, AP report - Quake devastates Haiti, many casualties feared)