We live in an age when the constantly running news cycle can keep us informed around the clock of obscure events taking place in remote locations on the other side of the world. The Internet, social media and cable news contribute to this, giving audiences immediate access to interesting and vital information. A story is reported one minute, focused on for a few more and then discarded for even more up-to-date news. Advanced forms of communication allow stories to come and leave quickly. With such an inundation of raw data, it is easy to miss out on the thoughtful and analytical stage of world events. The world should not let this happen to the coverage of the Haitian earthquake recovery.
After the Jan. 12 earthquake near the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, the world’s attention and sympathies were rightly focused on the small Caribbean Island nation. One of the poorest countries in the world and equipped with less than ideal infrastructure, the magnitude 7.0 quake was devastating. Hundreds of thousands of buildings were destroyed, including hospitals, schools, orphanages, homes, business and government agencies. Almost 300,000 people died and the number threatens to rise as more people are moved from the list of missing to the list of the deceased. Governments, non-governmental organizations and private citizens came to their aid in a new and technology-based form. Generosity was displayed through text message and Internet donations, while information was disseminated online, proving the power of the very medium that first brought the news.
Attention was focused almost solely on Haiti for a few weeks, but, inevitably, the immediacy of the situation was lost, news viewers lost interest, other stories had to be reported and energy was directed elsewhere. The Olympics started, SeaWorld’s captivity methods for orca whales were questioned, and the health care battle once again heated up. On Saturday, an even bigger earthquake (measured at 8.8) hit Chile and caused tsunami worries all across the Pacific region, leaving over 700 dead by Sunday afternoon.
All of these are worthy and important things for the world to be focused on. Life continues, and the discussion moves along in other directions. The situation in Chile will demand more attention in the coming weeks as the country may require assistance, and the death toll, while not as high as Haiti’s due to better-constructed buildings and a better equipped, is terrible. There will be more events and even disasters to come that will all require attention from officials and news consumers alike.
All Haiti, all the time six weeks later would be impractical and not helpful. But we should not let ourselves forget the need is still very present just because some of the initial chaos or excitement is gone. They still need our help in human and monetary resources. Rebuilding will take years. This tragedy could serve as a jumping-off point for renewal for the poverty-plagued country, but only with the support of the rest of the world. Systemic problems do not arise overnight and systemic solutions cannot be found overnight.
Students, who played a big part in the initial demonstrations for solidarity, must also stay involved. While most of us cannot go and actually be in Haiti, remembering them and donating to will go a long way. Young people actually have a unique advantage when it comes to relief in this tragedy because so much of it has been technology-based. The Help Haiti boxes remain placed in various spots around campus, and throwing in even a quarter every few times you walk by can be enough for your personal donation. After we have gone back to our regular lives, sometimes all we can do is to remember that there are people not so far away who are still suffering tremendously and even just keeping them in our thoughts can contribute to their healing.
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