Relief efforts continue after Haiti earthquake
Douglas College’s DSU contributes to the relief effort

 

Tanya Colledge
staff reporter
eeks after a devastating earthquake shook
southern Haiti the world has united hoping
to offer relief in any way possible. The
most powerful to hit Haiti in over a century, the
7.0 magnitude quake struck roughly 15 kilometres
southwest of Port-au-Prince and was felt over 30
kilometres away in eastern Cuba, knocking down
buildings and power lines.

Within minutes, a blanket of smoke and dust
covered the city as the people attempted to make their
way through the rubble to seek safety. The remains
of crumbled buildings lay scattered on the street,
including the president’s residency and the local
hospital, leaving the roads blocked off to traffic.

According to seismic experts, the quake took
place 10 kilometres underground, resulting in severe
shaking and an estimated 10 aftershocks, two of

 

 

of Jacmel, hometown of Governor General Michaélle :

Jean, has become the center hub for the delivery of
aid, acquiring Canadian supplies such as lighting,
radar and more emergency crews.

The UN World Food Program and the Red Cross
have managed to reach 500,000 Haitians with food,
but continue to fall short of supplies. Meanwhile U.S.
marines, soldiers and sailors have slowly begun to
take control over parts of the city helping to escort
deliveries and ensure order, while UN peacekeepers
and international police forces continue to aid the
country on its long road to recovery.

A mass migration has been planned for 400,000
survivors to temporary camps outside of town,
however, authorities have begun to worry about
sanitization and fear that disease outbreaks could
only worsen the situation. Few tents have been made
available for those sent out to the camps, others will
have to make due living under tarps or seeking shelter
under trees.

The world was told to expect a catastrophe of
major proportions in what is known as the poorest
country in the Western Hemisphere, and as numbers
of the wounded, dead and the missing continue to

“A mass migration has been planned for 400,000 survivors to temporary camps
outside of town, however, authorities have begun to worry about sanitization
and fear that disease outbreaks could only worsen the situation.”

which were in the five-magnitude range. The latest
aftershock of 4.7 magnitude occurred 13 days after the
initial quake, instilling more terror and panic in the
survivors.

The death toll has been estimated at 200,000
people, with another 80,000 already buried in mass
graves. Among those numbers, 13 Canadians have
been confirmed dead, with another 543 still missing.
The European Commission has estimated that two
million people are now homeless, and 250,000 in need
of urgent aid.

The UN, Red Cross, Canadian and American
military troops, and many others have flooded to the
scene to help with the relief. The southem coastal city

4

pour in, so has the overwhelming support from people
all around the world.

 

 

 

Douglas College Wrap-Up

By Kristina Mameli and Tanya Colledge
The blogosphere welcomes Douglas’ president

“I’m new to blogging, but excited to try it,”
says Douglas College President Dr. Scott
McAlpine in the “About Me” section of his
new blog.

“Here,” McAlpine goes on, “I and
others will blog about strategic planning
and the 7 key themes at the centre of our
process.”

The blog is intended to act as a
forum of open dialogue about the College
primarily for staff. “My hope is that
employees will weigh in. We need your
thoughts and feedback. This is one place to
share it.”

Check it out at http: iene:
douglaspresident.com/

Learn to kick some butt!

Join Jennifer Kirkey, a 20-year Wenlido
WEST veteran, for a special women’s self-
defence workshop.

Sponsored by Douglas College’s
Employee Relations and the Women’s
Centre, this two-day event will teach
students the 4 As of self-defence: to be
Aware of what is likely to happen to you,
so you can Avoid it, and if you can’t avoid
it, learn Assertiveness skills and simple,
effective Action techniques. =

Free and open to all employees and
students, Kirkey’s workshop provides a
safe, supportive atmosphere to learn new —
skills that could save your life. The event
will be held on Saturday, January 30 and
Sunday January 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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