The Cayman Islands may get lucky
and be spared the wrath of Hurricane Tomas.
But our neighbours in Haiti,
Jamaica and Cuba may not be so lucky.
While we don’t wish harm or damage
to any of our Caribbean neighbours, we have to keep the people of Haiti
uppermost in our thoughts and prayers.
Many of that country’s residents
are still living in tents and make-do camps following the dreadful earthquake
in January that left so many people dead. More than 1 million people are still
homeless.
The country is always in danger of
flooding and landslides in rain events because of deforestation.
There are no shelters and no
organised evacuation plans on Haiti and, for most people, there is nowhere to
go.
The United States has dispatched
the USS Iwo Jima to dock in Port-au-Prince to offer disaster relief and the Red
Cross has sent 250 volunteers to help prepare for any evacuations.
Tomas has already left death,
injuries and destruction in its wake throughout the region. It’s a sure bet
that the storm will bring further dismay to the people of Haiti.
Top this with the cholera epidemic
that has gripped the country and you have a recipe for disaster.
It’s almost certain there will be
another appeal for the people of Haiti once Tomas has passed. Please remember
our neighbours and do what you can.
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