HAITI UPDATE AND APPEAL

[Malaika H. Kambon]

16 January 2010
7:40 PM

FROM:
AKINYELE UMOJA

Three million people are homeless, untold thousands are dead. With their own hands, Haitians are heroically digging out friends and relatives from the rubble left by the devastating earthquake, showing once again their resilience, determination and courage in the face of disaster.

Days after the earthquake, the United Nations admits it has fed only 8000 people. With thousands of U.S. troops headed to Haiti, it is clear that the U.S. and UN are more concerned with “securing” Haiti than with feeding and housing people. Millions of dollars worth of food and medicine sits on the tarmac at the airport in Port-au-Prince while the poorest communities remain without aid.

Many Haitians whose homes were not destroyed by the earthquake are housing their friends, families and neighbors. In a scene reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina, thousands of people have sought refuge in the Aristide Foundation, near the airport in Port-au-Prince. Over fifty doctors are there, yet no medical supplies or food has arrived.

The Haitian people and their grassroots organizations have the capacity to distribute food and water to their neighbors. An occupying army is not best equipped to distribute food to people they don’t respect.

Former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide wants to return from exile in South Africa to aid the relief and reconstruction efforts in Haiti. Aristide has the necessary respect from the majority of the Haitian people to mobilize and organize an effective relief effort. Since the Bush administration’s supported coup and Aristide’s kidnapping in 2004, the United Nations, U.S., France, Canada, the Preval government and Haitian elite have denied Aristide’s human right to return to his home in Haiti.

This is a time to aid grassroots organizations that have always been there for the people. This is a time to return President Aristide to Haiti.

We remember the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Contribute to Haiti relief through the Haiti Emergency Relief Fund

Please contact the White House and your respective Congressional representatives demand that the food, water, and medicine are released to the Haitian people to aid in their own relief and healing. Demand that no obstacles are made by the United States government to prevent Aristide’s return to Haiti.

Call the White House: 202-456-1111 or fax the White House: 202-456-2461