How Should the U.S. Respond to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster?

How can the American government best assist relief efforts?

By U.S. News Staff

January 14, 2010 RSS Feed Print

With thousands dead and nearly countless structures in shambles after Tuesday's massive earthquake, the international community has rushed to aid the people of Haiti. International organizations such as the U.N. and the International Red Cross have already committed millions of dollars and lots of manpower to the disaster relief effort. Late Tuesday, according to an Associated Press article, President Obama said he expects "an aggressive, coordinated effort" from U.S. agencies as well; the U.S. Agency for International Development has already sent disaster assistance relief teams to the island nation. Still, the dire situation in Haiti leaves much work to be done.

What more can the U.S. do in Haiti? Post your thoughts below.

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I PERSONALLY THINK SOME OF THE U.S. CITIZENS SHOULD PUT THEIR SELVES IN THAT POSITION AND SEE WOULD THEY WANT PEOPLE TO BE THERE FOR THEM AN NOT JUST SAY I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. CAUSE GOD'S GOING TO GIVE YOU YOURS.

TIARRA of TX 8:12PM June 18, 2010

And in order to better help the residents of Haiti sustain their eventually rebuilt nation, they need help with education, which would create a need for teachers.
Side note to those who keep asking what others have done for the USA: Allowing nations to fail creates a potential national security issue, thus it is always in your national interest, as a wealthier nation, to do something to help out.
Honestly, where do some of these people come up with those types of questions in the first place? While acting as weekend alcoholics in a local bar, or something? Doesn't every thinking person understand a national security/national interest concern when they see one?
And first and foremost, even beyond national security, it's just the right thing to do. It's called being human.

Angie Koutrotsios of IL 11:43PM January 18, 2010

The US should send a large coalition (from all different States) of qualified temporary workers to immediately help rebuild the infrastructure in Haiti.
This would employ millions of now out-of-work US workers, who could rotate work both from headquarters within the US and then on the ground in Haiti, and it would help rebuild the impoverished and grief-stricken nation.
Rebuild a desperate nation by using some of the donation funding to temporarily put more Americans to work.
Gee, aren't there people from construction currently out of work in the USA? Get them to Haiti, then!
That would solve two coexisting problems, the destruction in Haiti, as well as out-of-work Americans.
Of course, this would also require logistics geniuses to manage the task, but again, it would put people qualified to do so back into the workforce on a humanitarian mission.
People would probably love to do it, too, as I've heard that entire law school classes eagerly went down to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and helped with the cleanup effort. If Ivy League law students are happy to help with cleanup and rebuilding efforts, then out-of-work Americans would probably also jump at the chance to get paid to do something worthwhile.
Oh, and for those who need to be trained to work on such a massive rebuilding efforts, well that just creates even more jobs for trainers (and logistical technicians, as well).
Turn the tragedy into a massive American re-employment program.

Angie Koutrotsios of IL 11:26PM January 18, 2010

How Should the U.S. Respond to the Haiti Earthquake Disaster?

How can the American government best assist relief efforts?

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