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→Earthquake relief: update
[[French]] is taught in schools, but the language of conversation is [[Haitian Creole]].
[[French]] is taught in schools, but the language of conversation is [[Haitian Creole]].
==Earthquake relief==
==Earthquake==
On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit about 10 miles from the capital city. Early estimates are that hundreds of thousands have died, and many others are trapped or injured or orphaned. The infrastructure providing food, water, shelter, medical care and transportation has collapsed in much of the very poor country.
===Relief efforts===
The best-publicized response in the US and Europe has been to pledge or solicit money for relief. No word from the Haitian government itself.
One worry conservatives have is whether the money will be spent effectively.
One worry conservatives have is whether the money will be spent effectively.
:Officials said Obama told them to start preparing '''in case humanitarian assistance was needed'''. [http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hV0B6fLLw-0m3nvz7lOc9is0M2tA]
:Officials said Obama told them to start preparing '''in case humanitarian assistance was needed'''. [http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hV0B6fLLw-0m3nvz7lOc9is0M2tA]
Of course, [[humanitarian assistance]] is needed; it's just that the Haitian government has to ask for it (or at least, be willing to accept it). Last time, when a hurricane caused devestating mudslides, the Haitian government was more concerned with maintaining its [[sovereignty]] than with getting [[fresh water]] to disaster victims (see also [[tsunami relief]]).
Of course, [[humanitarian assistance]] is needed; it's just that the Haitian government has to ask for it (or at least, be willing to accept it). Last time, when a hurricane caused devastating mudslides, the Haitian government was more concerned with maintaining its [[sovereignty]] than with getting [[fresh water]] to disaster victims (see also [[tsunami relief]]).
[[Category:Caribbean Countries]]
[[Category:Caribbean Countries]]
[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]
[[Category:Christian-Majority Countries]]