The devastation in Haiti is unimaginable, the need real

Earthquake in Haiti - Graphic Content

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The devastation in Haiti is unimaginable, the need real

Imagine that nearly the entire population of Ohio lived in Northeastern Ohio, that those roughly 10 million people had an illiteracy rate of 65 percent and that the majority lived in substandard housing and scraped by on perhaps $2 a day.

And now try to image that an earthquake 1,000 times more powerful than any recorded in Ohio history struck, leveling entire neighborhoods in an area the size of Cleveland and killing as many people as live in Youngstown, possibly as many as live in Mahoning County. Among the collapsed buildings would be the primary centers of government, the main hospitals and a cathedral. Picture schools collapsing in an instant on hundreds of children.

Even imagining all that wouldn’t completely capture the reality of the horror that has befallen Haiti.

We think we got it tough

We tend to think of ourselves as living in tough times, and indeed we are. But the poorest of the poor in Ohio do not face the suffering that confronts Haitians today. And every Ohioan has something that Haitians today are looking for desperately, somewhere to turn. Somewhere to escape the stench of death. Somewhere to get medical attention. Somewhere to get a drink of clean water and a bite to eat.

Governments from around the world are responding, sending airplanes and ships filled with personnel and supplies. Chief among them is the United States, which is appropriate given that this is the richest nation in the Western Hemisphere and Haiti is the poorest and most put upon, in decades past by corrupt despots and now by nature itself.

In addition to the government response, which was announced Thursday by President Barack Obama and will be headed by former president George W. Bush and Bill Clinton, millions of Americans want to feel that they are doing something special to help the stricken Haitians.

A surprisingly large number of Mahoning Valley residents already had at least more than a passing familiarity with the destitution of Haiti through church groups that have actively supported missions there for years. But most of us are learning about the past and present suffering of the Haiti people as we follow along with the latest news breaks. Those who already have a connection to an established charity know what they are going to do. Others instinctively go to a recognized organization with a track record of responding to disasters, and for many in this area who still remember the response to the 1985 tornado here, that’s the Red Cross.

Be generous but prudent

There are dozens of other reputable agencies putting together relief efforts, but unfortunately, an event such as this also attracts some conmen. Attorney General Richard Cordray warned potential donors to be cautious in dealing with solicitors. He advises asking questions about how their money will be used, resisting high-pressure collection tactics, and being careful not to give to copycat charities with names similar to larger, well-regarded organizations.

So give as generously as you can, but carefully, dealing with charities you’ve dealt with before or those that are recommended to you by a trusted friend or relative.

The challenge in these early days will be for governments and relief agencies to treat the injured, bury the dead and provide food, shelter and moral support for the living. We should all want to be a part of that in whatever way we can.

In the months and years to come, the challenge will be to not only rebuild Haiti, but to help it reach its potential. It has all the geographic necessities for being an island paradise. Renewed international attention and support provides an opportunity to make a break with Haiti’s sad history and build not only better buildings, but a better place to live.