Less than 900 nautical miles from the artificial prosperity and land of dreams we call Disney World, Haiti is anything but. The target of strife since the beginning of modern history, the tiny island nation has been hit repeatedly by violent coups, corrupt governments, and natural disasters. It is among the world's poorest nations, the last in food security, and the least capable of dealing with even a small natural disaster, much less a catastrophe on the scale of this week.
Why should we care?
Of course, there are altruistic reasons. Some might cite the Golden Rule, or teachings from other religions regarding charity for our fellow humans. Others may even cite the self-serving benefits of service to others in their times of need. I am not disputing these. In fact, I encourage and even champion them.
However, let's talk practical matters for a bit.
Some have already spoken of the danger of a humanitarian crisis so close to our own borders. Even before this escalation in the scope of their national tragedy, the complications arising from unsanctioned immigration by Hatians, whether "boat people" or others, has been significant in southern Florida and beyond.
I am a strong proponent of opening immigration rather than restricting it further; however, under our current laws, illegal immigration creates a class of workers who are not integrated into society and are easy targets for exploitation. This exploitation may be by criminal elements that both welcome and corrupt immigrants, victimize them through various forms of human trafficking, or pay dirt-poor wages that the illegal immigrant has no way to contest (while saving the taxes that could help pay for the added load to our systems such as education and health). This causes economic, moral, and criminal impact on our society. On top of this, add the danger of the trip itself, which thousands upon thousands have decided to brave, finding the risk of death at sea better than the conditions of their home country. The scope of the tragedy and misery in today's Haiti will only increase this flow of immigration, legal and otherwise.
But the other danger is one I wrote of in November (Why should we care about starving kids in Africa). "In our country, we debate the increased risk of gang activity and violence in a society endangered by a lack of effective parental role models, poverty, homelessness, and sexual predation. These are significant concerns, but they pale in comparison to other parts of the world." How much more should we be concerned with our neighbor, Haiti, where thousands upon thousands are now orphaned, in extreme poverty, without housing, and subject to exploitation as I described above?
Conditions such as these create the fertile ground in which criminal and terrorist organizations thrive. Even if the altruistic reasons didn't exist (but they do), we would be ill-advised not to take action.
So... what are you doing? Go take action. Right now, the best way for most of us is to donate through well-established NGOs and charitable organizations - Doctors without Borders and the Red Cross are two that come to mind easily, but there are many others out there*. Get out and do it!
*A word of caution - just as the criminal element will be out to exploit the Hatians, many despicable individuals and organizations are capitalizing on their plight. Make sure you do a good check on any organization to which you donate.
Check 6,
Pat
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