Many open hearts close

Since the Jan. 12 earthquake that left Haiti in shambles, a surge of aid has flooded the island nation.

I’ve encountered quite a bit of naysaying about whether Americans should donate (monetarily or otherwise) to help Haitians survive and ultimately overcome the devastation. In my opinion, donating if you are able is a no-brainer. Yes, you should help if you can.

When Hurricane Katrina ravaged Louisiana and other Gulf Coast states in August 2005, Americans stepped up to show their patriotism and loyalty to one another by donating a record- breaking $3.27 billion to relief efforts, according a Washington Post report. A similar outpouring of generosity, $2.8 million, had been recorded following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Those totals make me proud to be from a country that takes care of its own. But I feel that many people fail to realize that before we’re Americans, we’re human beings. And despite our poor economic standing in recent years, we lead pampered lives compared to a country like Haiti, even before a natural disaster strikes.

On average, each Haitian survives on about $2 a day. It is the least developed nation in the western hemisphere. More than half the population is illiterate and, according to the Human Developmental Index, more than 80 percent of the population lives in poverty.

Of the population that does become educated, 80 percent emigrates away from Haiti, usually to the United States. Obviously, they will be fine and don’t need any help at all.

A month after the earthquake, Haitian officials have estimated the death toll to exceed 230,000, compared to Katrina’s 1,800, and the number will only continue to climb as more bodies are recovered from the rubble.

The Red Cross estimates that upward of 3 million people have been affected by the catastrophe. Survivors, many among them newly orphaned, live without shelter or access to clean water. The threat of water-borne disease also hangs heavily over Haitian heads, a fog that’s likely to thicken as the country approaches its rainy season.

The earthquake might be over, but the damage that follows is far from finished. Not only did this country suffer two earthquakes within a month, some of their so-called rescuers are there only to make a profit for themselves. As donation totals dwindle, Haiti’s bottom line grows at a staggering pace as the country begins to rebuild. That’s why aid from outside Haitian borders is so crucial.

Anyone should be able to help, no matter how small the contribution. Every little bit is more than Haitians had before.

If college students could spare to trade just one night out on Polk Street or one outfit at an Aeropostale sale, we each could donate $10. And it’s as simple as texting “Haiti” to 90999. Easy enough, right?

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