The young leader ponders for a moment and then responds, solemnly, "I don't know, and I don't really care."
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Thank you, to a few kind readers who answered my not-so-rhetorical question. I decided not to go to Haiti. My original intention had been to simply visit with Haitian friends. Now is not the right moment for that. I also truly have nothing to offer... So from El Salvador, I came straight home: out of respect for the Haitians and foreigners working so fervently in the instant of crisis--an instant which today, November 12, has lasted for 10 months.
I am usually ignorant, and often apathetic. I sit in a comfortable house, consume too much, and pity my selfish concerns. Then memory triggers a craving for what's important, and I spend the last several hours learning and feeling.
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Synopsis of what we should know:
1. MSF Head of Mission, Stefano Zannini, reports in today's cholera post: "It’s a really worrying situation for us at the moment. All of the hospitals in Port-au-Prince are overflowing with patients and we’re seeing seven times the total amount of cases we had three days ago."
Rising count, at an increasing rate: 724 dead and 11,125 hospitalized. More unknown cases, surely.
2. Hurricane Tomas did cause significant flooding damage in Leogane. It's hard to quantify other than to say it was, bad. Some of you have seen photos from our common friends--shared & re-shared--across Facebook. Ansel Herz also provides an account.
3. Most of us have read about the "1.15 billion" pledged by the U.S. for reconstruction, money that seems to be playing hooky. (not to be confused with 1-billion spent in initial emergency aid). What's the story? Jonathan Katz from the AP concisely explains what any non-apathetic citizen ought to realize about our process of helping others.
Basically, Congress took its leisurely time preparing the appropriations bill which hit Obama's desk July 29. Authorization, the next step, happened Sept 20. And just now, the State Department learns it must ensure "accountability" from the Haitian government before the 1.3 million people living in tents could hope for an upgrade to a slab of concrete & some sturdy plywood. Katz also reports that reconstruction contractors with plans ready to go are losing interest.
Time is not only a matter of life and death. It's money, as well.
This predicament is only one step removed from all of us apathetic couch potatoes. It is our representative government, after all. Yesterday, we honored veterans in remembering the path to democracy. We could also remember that our civic duty did not end when polls closed last Tuesday.
4. If you're not discreetly edging away from my soapbox by now, this article is also thought-provoking "Humanitarian Crisis or Crisis of Humanitarianism?"
5. Let's be not ignorant of the good, as well: in searching the old OneResponse & Cluster sites, I just read a Partners in Health situation report that was more detailed than any analogous UN briefing I've read over the last 10 months. PIH has deep knowledge and deep response. Following their mission of "Doing Whatever It Takes," they have stayed with their Haitian community through the persistent crisis of injustice. They know and they care, so they can respond.
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I am probably like that poor quarterback. Yet, despite disappointment and seeming futility, he is at least honest. Wherever I am, even 1844 miles from where I wanted to be at this moment, I hope to acknowledge my ignorance & apathy. And then do something about it.
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