Thursday, January 14, 2010

Oh Haiti


"The Republic of Haiti, with a population of nearly 9 million people, is located on the western part of the island of Hispaniola, sharing a 224 mile border with the Dominican Republic. The terrain includes rugged mountains, rain forests, palm tree lined beaches, and small coastal plains and river valleys. There are several islands, including the famous island of Tortugas (Ile de la Torture) located off the coast of northern Haiti." (hope for Haiti)

PORT-AU-PRINCE (January 16, 2010) - CARE warned Saturday that pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and young children are at greatest risk in the wake of an earthquake that has devastated the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince and left nearly three million people in need of assistance. There are an estimated 37,000 pregnant women among the affected population in urgent need of safe drinking water, food and medical care. Half of Haiti's population is younger than 18 years old.

Hospitals and medical centers have been destroyed, and remaining centers are overwhelmed treating people injured from the quake. With limited or no access to health facilities, pregnant women are at an even greater risk of complications and death related to pregnancy and childbirth. Haiti already has the highest rate of maternal mortality in the region: 670 deaths per 100,000 live births.

We believe as Baha'is that all crises are meant to unify the Human race....

"The crisis that exists in the world is not confined to the farmers. Its effects have reached every means of livelihood. The farmers are in a sense better off because they at least have food to eat. But on the whole the crisis is serving a great purpose. It is broadening the outlook of man, teaching him to think internationally, forcing him to take into consideration the welfare of his neighbours if he wishes to improve his own condition. In short it is forcing humanity to appreciate the significance and follow the precepts laid by Bahá'u'lláh. The present and perhaps the near future is dark, but we have the wonderful promises of the Master before us and they shall become true ..." ( Lights of Guidance, p. 130)

"....When such a crisis sweeps over the world no person should hope to remain intact. We belong to an organic unit and when one part of the organism suffers all the rest of the body will feel its consequence. This is in fact the reason why Baha'u'llah calls our attention to the unity of mankind..... " Shoghi Effendi

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