The Haiti Earthquake Update - Engage & Donate NOW
Tuesday, January 19, 2010 Read more → allah's tests, American-Muslims, charity, Current-Affairs, fundraising In the name of God, entirely Compassionate, especially Merciful | Peace be with you
In the name of God, compassionate & merciful بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيمِ | Peace be with you السلام عليكم
Here is a short compilation of resources, donation links and information surrounding the Haiti earthquake.
Where is Haiti?
- Haiti is a Caribbean country also known as the Republic of Haiti (a Cuban island).
- Its capital is Port-au-Prince; Haiti neighbours the Dominican Republic.
- French and Haitian Creole are the official (most spoken) languages of Haiti.
Who are the Haitians?
- Anyone born in Haiti is a Hatian; the US occupied Haiti in the early 1900s which left Haiti with a 'shaky' financial foundation. Haitians immigrated to America during the 1970s/80s due to an unstable government. [read more on Wikipedia here]
- Haiti is still in debt to the US and is one of the world's poorest and impoverished countries.
- For historical information browse through the Embassy of Haiti's website in Washington HERE
- Check out the CIA Factbook on Haiti's population and other statistical information HERE
Does Haiti have a history of natural disasters?
- Yes, within the last decade. Severe floods hit Haiti in 2004 and hurricanes left more than 1 million people homeless in 2008.
- Apart from natural catastrophes, Haiti has a history of dictatorships, economic deficit and political unrest.
- With the recent earthquake Haiti is dubbed 'The Unluckiest Country' [read more about this on Foreign Policy here]
When did the earthquake happen in Haiti?
- The earthquake hit Haiti on Tuesday, 12th January 2010, at approximately 5am (Haiti time).
- The earthquake measured a magnitude of 7.0 which explains the size and movement of the ground shaking. This is a very, very high measurement, especially considering the highest magnitude recording of an earthquake was 9.5. [read more stats on the earthquake by seismologists here]
- The Haiti earthquake was a huge catastrophe spreading throughout the Haiti region and shakes were even felt as far as Guantanamo. [read live updated reports on the earthquake here]
- For graphic (and heartbreaking) images immediately after the earthquake click onto Boston, The Big Picture: Haiti
Who has this affected?
- Over 3 million people have been displaced. They are homeless, without food, water, medical care or guarantee of survival.
- The earthquake has taken the lives of 70,000+ to date. Since Haiti authorities are running out of time, mass graves are being dug to bury the bodies as they are a risk of spreading disease. Imagine how awful this must be for families. Many are buried unidentified.
- The Haitian Interior Minister, Paul Antoine Bien-Aimeé anticipated that at least 200,000 people may have died from the disaster.
- The US is allowing greater aid to reach the country and organisations are working to provide the basic necessities to prevent further deaths; Haitian medical teams are working with rudimentary tools and need desperate help.
What can we do to help?
- Donate if in UK: Donate £5 (plus standard network charge) through the Disasters Emergency Committee by texting 'GIVE' to 70077, read more details HERE. For more UK based help lines click HERE.
- Donate is in US: Donate through the American Red Cross HERE.
- Lastly, but not least, make dua'. Dua is a supplication to God, whom Muslims believe created, controlled and caused the earth and its disasters. There is hope in prayer, it is not wasted.
May Allah have mercy on the Haitians, all people in suffering, and all of mankind.
Ameen.
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