Haiti Earthquake - is there a thread?

[BCV513]

Before I say this I'm in no means trying to lessons what those poor people went through over there. It's horrible I can't even image there suffering

I did howver hear on the news that the poor were really lucky when this happend since they weren't living in homes. The didn't have to worry about there homes falling in. Most of the people who did died were the rich because there house did fall in on them.

I'm sure this people would love to have a house but this one time in a million it actually worked out for them

Wow.

 

[JerseyJanice]

Has WMKathy updated us anywhere about her mom?

I hope and pray she's O.K., Kathy.

 

[luvmy3]

Has WMKathy updated us anywhere about her mom?

I hope and pray she's O.K., Kathy.

I just heard a report that some missionaries that were there have arrived back in the US, so there are definitely people flying out. Hopefully her mom was amoung them, or isn't far behind.

 

[cabanafrau]

The scope of this is simply incredible. Pathetically all I can do is donate money to relief organizations and pray for those suffering in this tragedy.

I would like to point out that it's probably not helpful for an entity like Disney to unilaterally decide to deploy one of their cruise ships to the area to deliver potable water. It may seem logical to simply rush in and do whatever possible, but actually I believe the port has been severely damaged. Just like the military has had to step in & take over communications at the airport & become a control tower to help get everyone in and out, I think there will/is likely a similar operation underway at the port. Not only will traffic need to be controlled there, but I believe the piers & cranes have been damaged so docking & unloading ships is going to be another challenge. Then of course they have to get the supplies on the move on land.

If you're here reading this and worrying about someone you love in Haiti, I hope you hear good news soon and know you are being prayed for.

 

[DizBelle]

Wow.

Lighten up. The point is that if you happened to not be inside a building when the earthquake happened, whether it is because you just happened to be outside or because you don't have a home to be inside of, that there wouldn't have been a roof to fall on you.

It's no secret that there are many poor and homeless in Haiti. Those folks would have fared better in the earthquake because it is far less likely the would have a building on top of them.

I don't think anyone is saying those people are lucky they are poor. I think people are saying those people are lucky they weren't inside a building that collapsed. It just so happens that the reason they weren't inside a building is because they didn't have a home to be in.

 

[NikitaZee]

I heard it several times on CNN yesterday, though what they were saying was that people who were living in "lesser" housing, e.g. those without heavy roofs, were more fortunate because if their roofs did cave in, there was less of a chance of them being killed outright in the collapse. Those who were in homes with heavy roofs that collapsed didn't stand much of a chance.

I heard the same thing. Honestly, why is that comment so controversial?

 

[bubie2.5]

If only the heavy cement-moving equipment could get through, but the roads from the sea port and the airport are severely damaged, making it impossible.

The day of the earthquake that same night, the Dominican President gave an order that all of their heavy equipment being used for the DR’s public infrastructures was to be sent to Haiti. The next morning they were in the Haitian border, but found severe damage on the roads leading to Port au Prince. Yesterday they were still working on clearing the way. What a nightmare.

 

[DizBelle]

I heard the same thing. Honestly, why is that comment so controversial?

Because some people like to make issues where none exist...

 

[Planogirl]

Only on the DIS...

My thoughts are with the victims of this tragedy. I can't believe the numbers that we keep hearing - it's so sad.

 

[snapppyd]

Because some people like to make issues where none exist...

amen

 

[robinb]

I just heard a report that some missionaries that were there have arrived back in the US, so there are definitely people flying out.

This confuses me. Didn't the missionaries go to Haiti to help people? And now that there is a disaster and every hand is needed they are leaving. I can understand that if you are injured you would want to leave, but to leave when you are able bodied and really needed? I just don't get it.

 

[Aisling]

This confuses me. Didn't the missionaries go to Haiti to help people? And now that there is a disaster and every hand is needed they are leaving. I can understand that if you are injured you would want to leave, but to leave when you are able bodied and really needed? I just don't get it.

I think because they'll be a hindrance to the relief effort. It's more people who have to be fed, sheltered, and cared for if they themselves become injured. What's best is for them to get out and let the organized relief organizations do their jobs. Many of them are flying in from all over the world. When the worse is over, the missionaries will probably be back in droves caring for the spiritual/emotional needs of the Haitians, getting education back, doing basic health care, etc.

 

[ms1031]

Maybe WebmasterKathy's mother was among this group and is now home, safe and sound.

From today's Dallas Morning News:

10 of Highland Park church's 12 Haiti mission workers are safely home

11:21 AM CST on Friday, January 15, 2010

By BRUCE TOMASO / The Dallas Morning News
btomaso@dallasnews.com

Ten of the 12 medical missionaries from Highland Park United Methodist Church who were stranded by the earthquake in Haiti are back home, the church announced today on its Web site.

"Our plane with 10 of our Haiti team members ... landed in Dallas overnight and two of our members were headed to local hospitals for treatment," the announcement said.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Two others had been on their way from the earthquake-torn island nation to Martinique. However, they were rerouted to Guadeloupe because one of them, Jean Arnwine, was experiencing complications related to her injuries, the church said. She was to undergo surgery in Guadeloupe.

Kim Gifford, a spokeswoman for the Highland Park church, said this morning that all of those who are back home, including the two who were sent to the hospital, were resting comfortably. None were available to be interviewed, she said. It was not immediately clear whether the church would arrange a news conference later.

Ophthalmologists and others from Highland Park United Methodist have been visiting Haiti for years, providing free eye care to that nation's impoverished residents.

With the church's help, an eye clinic was built in 1985. A surgery building was added in 1999. Those facilities are now staffed by Haitian doctors supported in part by the Highland Park church.

The 12 who were there when this week's deadly earthquake occurred were identified by the church as:

– Jean Arnwine, who is in Guadeloupe with internal injuries.

– Gary Fish, an eye doctor who is also in Guadeloupe, may have suffered broken ribs.

– Kenneth Foree, the retired chairman of the department of opthalmology at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and the founder of the Highland Park church's Haiti mission. He was taken to a local hospital with injuries to his hand.

– Nancy Rice, taken to a local hospital with back injuries.

– Lila Foree.

– James Lehmann, an ophthalmologist who trained at at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and who now practices in San Antonio.

– Alex Paz.

– Marilyn French.

– Katy Langley.

– Claire Miertschin.

– Karen Gardner.

– Joel Fish.

Staff Writer David Tarrant contributed to this report.

 

[happygirl]

Maybe WebmasterKathy's mother was among this group and is now home, safe and sound.

From today's Dallas Morning News:

10 of Highland Park church's 12 Haiti mission workers are safely home

11:21 AM CST on Friday, January 15, 2010

By BRUCE TOMASO / The Dallas Morning News
btomaso@dallasnews.com

Ten of the 12 medical missionaries from Highland Park United Methodist Church who were stranded by the earthquake in Haiti are back home, the church announced today on its Web site.

"Our plane with 10 of our Haiti team members ... landed in Dallas overnight and two of our members were headed to local hospitals for treatment," the announcement said.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

Two others had been on their way from the earthquake-torn island nation to Martinique. However, they were rerouted to Guadeloupe because one of them, Jean Arnwine, was experiencing complications related to her injuries, the church said. She was to undergo surgery in Guadeloupe.

Kim Gifford, a spokeswoman for the Highland Park church, said this morning that all of those who are back home, including the two who were sent to the hospital, were resting comfortably. None were available to be interviewed, she said. It was not immediately clear whether the church would arrange a news conference later.

Ophthalmologists and others from Highland Park United Methodist have been visiting Haiti for years, providing free eye care to that nation's impoverished residents.

With the church's help, an eye clinic was built in 1985. A surgery building was added in 1999. Those facilities are now staffed by Haitian doctors supported in part by the Highland Park church.

The 12 who were there when this week's deadly earthquake occurred were identified by the church as:

– Jean Arnwine, who is in Guadeloupe with internal injuries.

– Gary Fish, an eye doctor who is also in Guadeloupe, may have suffered broken ribs.

– Kenneth Foree, the retired chairman of the department of opthalmology at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas and the founder of the Highland Park church's Haiti mission. He was taken to a local hospital with injuries to his hand.

– Nancy Rice, taken to a local hospital with back injuries.

– Lila Foree.

– James Lehmann, an ophthalmologist who trained at at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas and who now practices in San Antonio.

– Alex Paz.

– Marilyn French.

– Katy Langley.

– Claire Miertschin.

– Karen Gardner.

– Joel Fish.

Staff Writer David Tarrant contributed to this report.

I hope so. Prayers going up to Kathy and her family

 

[happygirl]

This confuses me. Didn't the missionaries go to Haiti to help people? And now that there is a disaster and every hand is needed they are leaving. I can understand that if you are injured you would want to leave, but to leave when you are able bodied and really needed? I just don't get it.

I would be a nervous wreck, There is no way I could help anyone. After being though something like that.

 

[luvmy3]

This confuses me. Didn't the missionaries go to Haiti to help people? And now that there is a disaster and every hand is needed they are leaving. I can understand that if you are injured you would want to leave, but to leave when you are able bodied and really needed? I just don't get it.

Maybe after going through what they did, and seeing the destruction, the death etc they didn't feel so able bodied. Maybe coming home was the only way to let their family know they are safe and sound. I'm sure they have their reasons.



ETA I was just listening to the news and they were saying that there are a number of Americans still in Haiti that are missing, but so far some Americans have been sent home. I don't recall the exact numbers so I don't want to guess. Anyway, I'm wondering if all Americans that were there when the quake happened when found will be sent home because its a way to be able to account for them.

 

[Heidict]

ETA I was just listening to the news and they were saying that there are a number of Americans still in Haiti that are missing, but so far some Americans have been sent home. I don't recall the exact numbers so I don't want to guess. Anyway, I'm wondering if all Americans that were there when the quake happened when found will be sent home because its a way to be able to account for them.

I know we had a some local missionaries that are staying. One of the women told her father, when he asked when she was coming home, "we came here to help them, why would we leave now?" I believe that is almost a direct quote. She was trapped for 10 hours, got hurt some, but feels like she can stay and do good, and help them.

Maybe the State Department will make them leave, at some point, but as of right now, there are some that are staying.

 

[okeydokey]

This confuses me. Didn't the missionaries go to Haiti to help people? And now that there is a disaster and every hand is needed they are leaving. I can understand that if you are injured you would want to leave, but to leave when you are able bodied and really needed? I just don't get it.

The mission is Haiti has changed dramatically. Those who can help with what needs to happen immediately (urban search and rescue, medical assistance) is what the focus needs to be currently. Once the initial stage moves on to a rebuilding stage, all those other actions will be needed again, and more.

 

[luvmy3]

40,000 Americans among the missing

 

[clovergirl5]

People in Haiti are in my heart and prayers.

Kathy, still praying for a safe return for your mom. Stay strong