I know this is a film blog, but we just couldn't let this go by unnoticed. Everybody who read magazines/newspapers, accessed internet or watched TV for the last two weeks has heard from the current situation in Haiti.
On 12 January 2010, Haiti was hit by a catastrophic earthquake that destroyed most of the country and reached a 7.2 magnitude in Richter scale. The epicentre was approximately 16 miles (25 kilometers) west of Port-au-Prince, the capital city.
Ever since, there have already been 33 aftershocks, that keep frightening the population and causing more destruction. Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas were the most affected by the earthquake. Many important buildings and monuments were destroyed or damaged.
Sadly, this massive disaster took thousands of lives. The total estimation so far is that something between 100,000 and 200,000 of Haitian citizens have died due to the quake. Over 70,000 bodies have already been buried in mass graves.
The homeless people are another problem: around 2 million people have lost their houses due to the disaster. The Red Cross estimates that a total of 3 million lives were affected by the earthquake.
It is impossible to imagine what these people are going through if you haven't gone through a similar situation. I admit I can't even imagine it. The desperation and the fear... people trying to find their missing relatives...
Shocking images come to us daily, displaying the terrible situation that is taking place in Haiti. People around the world are mobilizing to help the survivors.
Celebrities, polititians and organizations worldwide like the Red Cross and the Mèdecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) have already sent money, water, food, medicines etc. to help the victims reconstruct their lives .
French president Nicolas Sarkozy has stated that France, the United States, Brazil, Canada and other countries will form a conference on the reconstruction of Haiti. A worldwide fund involving a few countries like the U.S., Canada, Italy, France, Brazil etc. have promised the equivalent to US$ 1,02 billion to help the citizens.
On Friday the 22nd, a benefit concert hosted by George Clooney and Wyclef Jean will be broadcasted live to raise funds to help the survivors of the disaster. The event will also count with music performances.
If you wish to help, visit the Google page for the Haitian crisis response. There, you can donate money for entities like the UNICEF and CARE . You can also click on the links to visit their websites.
Visit hopeforhaitinow.org or call 1-877-99-HAITI to know how to help further.
People need your help. Let's do our best to help Haiti. :)
-- The Movie Goers' Diary
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