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By U. S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-N.Y.), NNPA Special Commentary
September 29, 2008
It is with all respect and humility that I express the sympathies of myself and the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, our condolences and support for the people of Texas and the Gulf Region, who have been toiling under storm after storm after storm and dealing with the destruction that comes from nature's wrath.
It is in this context that I ask that we focus our attention to the island of Haiti that has been all but demolished by the same series of storms.
On January 1, 1804, Haiti proclaimed its independence. Through this action, it became the second independent state in the Western Hemisphere and the first free Black republic in the world. American history often recalls the presence of Haiti in the Louisiana Purchase, but few sources note that before the United States became the United States, about 750 Haitian freemen fought alongside colonial troops against the British in the Siege of Savannah on October 9, 1779.
Haiti, a long-standing friend to the United States is currently suffering one of the worst crises of any nation. Having endured four hurricanes within a month, not to mention the challenges faced as a result of the ongoing food crisis; this nation is in dire need. My recent trip provided me the opportunity to see firsthand what no newscast had ever reported; the resiliency of a people who are determined to prevail despite their circumstances.
Given the growing number of Haitian Americans in this nation and the intersection of my work as a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I am committed to securing our Hemisphere. Haiti is our neighbor and particularly since Port Au Prince, the capitol of Haiti, is only 736 miles from Key West, and only 710 miles from Miami, FL. It would be irresponsible for our nation to believe that a catastrophic impact on the island nation of Haiti will not have negative repercussions on the United States.
In May of this year I joined several colleagues in a Congressional delegation to Haiti to witness for myself the impact of the shortage in food that leads to a world crisis. Although only a few media outlets broached the issue, the devastation I witnessed firsthand was unlike anything I could have imagined. During this trip to Haiti, I witnessed some of the most impoverished conditions ever. Although I have traveled to various places in Africa and Latin America, nothing prepared me for what I saw in Haiti. As a result of my visit, I was moved to use my voice in the arena of public officials and communities across the nation requesting increase food and humanitarian aid.
In the wake of Hurricanes Fay, Gustav, Hanna and Ike, I revisited the island of Haiti because I needed to see and understand the extent of the devastation. Once again, I walked away amazed at the tenacity of the human spirit saluting the resilient people of Haiti for their ability to survive what can certainly be classified as insurmountable obstacles.
As a result of hurricane Ike, an estimated 850,000 people have been affected and almost half of those affected are children. Over 500 people have been killed and rescuers and aides are only beginning to reach some of the hardest-hit areas.
Over 150,000 people have been internally displaced and only about half of those people are in shelters. More than 35,000 homes have been destroyed. The devastation continues on and on; the City of Gonaive is totally destroyed and underwater, it was a city of approximately 400,000 inhabitants. It is no more.
The needs on the ground are vast and must be attended to with great haste. Basic supplies like water and a change of clothes are luxuries to the people in the areas severely hit by the storms. The infrastructure for majority of the island is non-existent. Bridges have been demolished and transportation possible only by boats or helicopter.
The agricultural market is completely eliminated. After the hunger crisis, Haiti had begun an aggressive crop effort and it was beginning to re-emerge. That glimmer of hope too has been washed away with the storms. The crops have been covered with mud and the planting season is over. Once again, people are at risk of starvation.
As one can imagine, these kinds of conditions breed a potpourri of health concerns. The urgency for immediate need for water purification systems, generators, medical supplies and other essential items cannot be expressed enough.
Haiti is our friend and Haiti needs our help. Haiti is a nation in crisis; the time for action is now.
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke represents New York's 11th Congressional District located in central Brooklyn.
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