About HRF Haiti

Posted on November 28, 2011 by

On January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake struck Haiti, leaving an entire country in ruin.  Before the 7.0 quake hit, Haiti was already in need of help for the many people there living in total poverty.  After the quake, the situation escalated and disaster relief teams were called in.  Reports from Fox News estimated that 3 million people were in need of urgent assistance after the earthquake and so the Red Cross and many community organizations and church groups rushed to the aid of the people in need.  Today, efforts are still underway to help the people of Haiti two years after the earthquake.  We are dedicated to mobilizing people to help in Haiti or give towards the efforts that are already underway.  We believe that there is still hope for Haiti and we invite you to join us as we do ongoing work to offer relief to our Haitian friends in need.

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An Update on Haiti: A Nation Still In Need of Help

Posted on November 27, 2011 by

Haiti has dropped from the news lately.  Problems in our own country with natural disasters and politics have turned most people’s attention away from the on-going problems Haiti is having in earthquake recovery.  There is still a critical need for help in that country and places all over the world are stepping up to help.

France recently completed a project that completely rebuilt one of the hospitals destroyed in the earthquake.  They have installed state of the art equipment and have staffed the hospital with doctors and nurses.  They have also opened a teaching hospital to train Haitians in patient care.  Other countries, including the US are continuing to send aid in the form of medical supplies and personnel to assist in relief efforts outside the major cities.

Food is still a major issue for a good part of the population and supplies are low in many places.  Food aid, especially at the relief camps is still an on-going need.  Recently, scientists and other agricultural experts have come to the assistance of Haiti in helping the farmers to learn the best way to increase yields on their crops, as well as providing assistance in improving watering techniques.  This will go quite a way in helping to increase the amount of local food available.

Haiti is also taking the initiative to invite businesses worldwide to invest in Haiti and results are beginning to show in increased interest in establishing tourist venues.  The state itself is taking on the herculean task of finishing eliminating rubble piles that still sit everywhere, and building housing for those displaced by the earthquake.

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A Look at Haiti Today

Posted on November 16, 2011 by

Haiti’s disastrous earthquake happened almost two years ago now.  It’s hard to believe that recovery efforts are taking so long, but there is some sign of progress.  Recently a new parliament building has opened in Port au Prince.  It’s a far cry from the magnificent old structure that used to house the government, but these new quarters will allow Haiti’s government to meet together properly for the first time since the earthquake.

There are other signs of improvement as well.  A new hospital facility here, a new apartment complex there-outward signs of progress are slowly coming to light.  Many countries are still assisting Haiti in rebuilding, but much still needs to be done.  Sanitation and clean water continue to be a high priority in Haiti.  The system in place before the earthquake was at best ancient-the entire system is in the process of being upgraded and redone.

There are still many piles of rubble that need to be disposed of from the earthquake.  Due to a lack of much heavy machinery, this process is slow and back breaking work.  Haiti has received some heavy equipment and more is on the way so this should speed the process of moving the remaining rubble piles.  Hotels and restaurants are slowly coming back to life as well.

In primarily tourist areas right now, new construction is proceeding rapidly to replace buildings destroyed by the earthquake.  Some cruise lines have returned to Haiti, making it a stop on their trips once again.  These areas have seen the greatest overall improvement in upgrading, and there still needs to be much more completed, but Haiti is rising from the rubble.

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Tourism in Haiti Sees Increase

Posted on October 28, 2011 by

Haiti’s new government is taking steps to invite investment in Haiti’s tourism industry.  The country’s business leaders are calling for quick approval for work on roads, reconstruction of the port and the construction of more hotels.  Several American companies, including Best Western, have plans to rebuild properties there, as do several old landmark Haitian hotels, including the Hotel Montana.  The hotel Montana was built in 1947 and was nearly completely destroyed in the earthquake.  Other properties scheduled for rebuild or new construction includes the El Rancho Hotel in Petionville, the Hotel Caribe Convention Center, and the Hotel des Artistes.

Many of the business people in Haiti see the reconstruction of Haiti’s tourist industry as essential for the country’s future prosperity.  There are many plans on the horizon to expand and modernize more of the country’s airports and other modes of internal transportation as well.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has been a staunch supporter of the rebuild effort and has plans to expand their operations in Haiti over the coming year.  They are expanding cruise offerings that stop in Haiti and are providing places for cruise guests to but locally made products from Haitian artisans. They also have plans to open several more ports on Haiti and some of its’ surrounding islands and will build hotels, restaurants and other tourist facilities that will increase local employment opportunities for Haitian people.

The Minister of Tourism, Stephanie Balmir Villedrouin has promised government help in setting up training programs for the tourism industry as well as a robust program to promote tourism throughout the region.

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Haiti Isn’t Ready for Another Earthquake

Posted on March 29, 2013 by

After the catastrophic earthquake that hit Haiti in 2010 many people are wondering how likely is it that another major earthquake could hit the country in the near future? The real question isn’t when another earthquake will come, but rather how will this still devastated country survive another major earthquake? The local buildings are mostly made out of poorly built concrete block buildings. The tragedy of this is that the country is so economically unstable and depressed that helping the locals rebuild in a more earthquake proof way is almost unthinkable. They just don’t have the resources needed to help their country prepare for another earthquake.

The buildings were just one problem that Haiti faced after the earthquake. Another major problem was getting clean water to the people of Haiti afterwards. Cholera became a huge problem after the earthquake. The people of Haiti were drinking contaminated water and getting sick by the thousands. Having the medical treatments for this epidemic caused by unsanitary conditions after the earthquake has not be easily maintained. Doctors, nurses, healthcare providers, and medicines to treat the people of Haiti all had to be brought into the country.

Asking the question when another earthquake will happen is not what our main concern should be. The concern should be how will Haiti survive when another earthquake hits. How do we as developed nations help this struggling country get to a place of stability so that they can withstand another catastrophe. Teaching the people how to take care of themselves is the first step. Getting the medical providers in Haiti trained to help their people is the second step. But beyond that, Haiti just needs the education to help themselves.

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Haitians Remain Unclear About the Constitution

Posted on May 29, 2012 by

Life in Haiti has never been easy, but Haitian politicians are trying to add a little stability to things. They’ve come to the conclusion that resolving governmental issues might go a long ways towards making a good impression on an international level, and could inspire other countries to lend a little more support to the impoverished country.

All the way back in May 2011, Haiti’s constitution was supposed to have been amended. This was good news, but it was difficult to know how the amendments would affect anyone since no one would know what the amendments were or how the kind of impact that they would have on Haiti until the following November, when the freshly updated draft Constitution was scheduled to be published. November came and went and now, a full year after the amendments were supposedly made, no one knows what they entail.

Recently Haiti’s Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, announced that the changes would be made public in November 2012. While this sounds like something that would provide a bit more stability to the Haitian political situation most remain skeptical. Many feel like the promise to publish the amended constitution bears a striking resemblance to the boy who cried wolf. Laurent Lamothe has promised to make arrangements to have the constitution published to many times for anyone to really take it seriously. Many wonder if the day will ever come when anyone knows exactly what the constitution says and the impact it will have on the Haitian way of life.

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A New Way to Help the People of Haiti

Posted on December 3, 2011 by

Our world is in constant need of help. There are areas that have been bombarded by natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or disease. These areas require all mankind to make an effort to help them and seek ways to make their lives a little easier. Haiti is one of those places. Natural disasters have made this area a place of darkness and despair. Disease has become rampant and homes have been lost.

Haiti has taken a hit numerous times and those of us in wealthier areas should be doing all we can to help those people regain their lives and dignity. People are doing so many great things to help these people. They are selling their possessions and moving there to be of help 24 hours a day. Some people are creating organizations that will send aide to these areas that have been affected.

There is a new way that people are helping others in Haiti and it has created quite a stir. People are taking their winnings from playing online games and sending it to groups in Haiti. They are playing some of the best online casino games and winning. They are not winning in order to better their lives but to better the lives of those in Haiti. This is an unbelievable and different way to help those in needs and it is becoming very popular to do. There are even online casinos that are being used the most in order to make this giving possible. Some of the casinos are: ladbrokes casino, mr green casino, go wild casino, and Victor Chandler. These online casinos are some of the most used casinos and people are creating accounts just for giving to the people of Haiti.

There are so many ways to earn and give money to those in need but this seems to be what so many people are doing right now. They are not only enjoying playing online games but also seeing it as a way to make a difference in people’s lives in Haiti. They are so willing and ready to send their winnings to organizations and groups that are working for Haiti and all of their needs. This is so exciting to hear and see happening within the wealth of our country. Most people are winning money for themselves but these special people are doing so much more. It is inspiring and humbling all at the same time.

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Supplementing my Income at a Hotel in Haiti

Posted on November 26, 2011 by

It’s not what you think! Recently the engineering firm I work for sent a group of us to Haiti for a first hand look at the property our company has been hired to develop. Quite honestly I had no idea what to expect. Haiti has such potential but so little capital we all expected second rate accommodations and services; we could not have been more wrong.

Our hotel was newly refurbished and quite beautiful. The Haitian people are ingenuous and genuinely friendly. The real surprise for most of us was that wireless Internet service was available anywhere we went. Imagine our relief to find that we were not shut off from the rest of the world; we had Internet!

Our job in Haiti was to last a month but we managed to stretch it into 6 weeks. We worked all day and some of the crew partied all night. I love to party as much as the next person but I have a little secret; I make a tidy little supplemental income playing online bingo. Most nights found me in my hotel room with laptop in hand playing on my favorite bingo sites. Every so often I tried new bingo sites but I always come back to my favorites; houseofbingo (HoB), x bingo (x) and bingostreet (BStr).

What is it about these three that keeps me coming back? Simple; great jackpots, action packed games, generous bonuses and much more. All three of my favorites are innovative, attractive and full of fun for bingo players of any level. Each of these sites offer free bingo for those who prefer to play for fun and for those new to online bingo; free bingo is a great way to learn.

Have you ever seen a bingo site that offers not only a fantastic sign up bonus but huge reload bonuses? HoB features a £20 sign up bonus to all new players. Reload bonuses from HoB are very generous: 1st reload=250%, 2nd reload=300% and the third reload will net you a 350% bonus. Playing slots at HoB gets you automatic cash back, for instance a $100 deposit will get you $30 back. Free money is always a bonus!

BStr is a fun, neighborly website; it doesn’t take long before you feel right at home on this site. Here you will receive a £5 welcome bonus which may seem small compared to HoB, but BStr features a 60% reload bonus every time you add money to your account. Big jackpots are the norm on this website, £3,000 is common and there are special £15,000 jackpots from time to time.

X has been on my list of favorites since it was introduced. I really like this website; £5 just for signing up and a whopping 300% match for your first deposit. X offers table games and slots for those who prefer that sort of gaming to bingo.

I was never bored in my hotel room in Haiti; I succeeded in supplementing my income and had a great time doing it.

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Haiti’s New Politics

Posted on August 4, 2011 by

Haiti’s energetic new President hit the ground running last May, and the country is beginning to show a positive difference as it is still trying to lift itself out of the debris of 2010’s earthquake. President Michel Martelly has taken steps to reinvigorate rebuilding Haiti, concentrating on getting services back up and running consistently and fixing the sanitation problems that plagued the country even before the earthquake.

He has the entire police force re-trained in modern methods and put in place safeguards to prevent some of the police abuses that have happened in the past.  His aim is to create a completely professional police force to take over when UN forces finally pull out of the country.  That action is scheduled for sometime next year.

Martelly is also courting other countries to invest in Haiti, especially in healthcare and in education.  It is his goal to provide free and mandatory education to his citizens as soon as practicable.  He is getting aid from France and the US in these endeavors.  The healthcare situation was poor before the earthquake and was devastated by it.  France has partnered with Haiti to open a new state-of the art healthcare facility.

The primary problem currently is finding enough people to staff it.  The US continues to provide basic care and service through the US Navy and has pledged to continue to do so as long as needed.  Many charitable organizations, in place since the earthquake, also provide assistance.  Until services are brought up to speed, Martelly will continue to utilize outside aid.

We can all do our part to contribute to improving life in Haiti.  Find out how you can get involved by contacting Red Cross, UNICEF, or another non-profit organization that specializes in disaster relief.

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Travel to Haiti Today

Posted on June 18, 2011 by

Travel to Haiti is available today even though the country still shows extensive damage from the earthquake in 2010.  The new President, Michel Martelly, has initiated steps to increase security and improve the infrastructure, but the country as a whole has a long way to go before it is ready for large scale tourism.

If you are planning to travel to Haiti, there are a few important things to keep in mind.  First is health and safety.  Haiti’s infrastructure was almost completely destroyed by the earthquake.  Sanitation is still problematic country wide and you should drink bottled water only while there.  Do not use ice cube and be cautious of any fresh fruit or veggies rinsed in plain tap water.

Cholera is still at high levels in Haiti and this and other water borne diseases can turn your stay into one of misery and severe illness.  Be very cautious about eating anything at roadside stands from the same reason.  It is best to stick to hotels and established restaurants for food as they have proper sanitation and clean water.

The US State Department currently has Haiti under travel advisory for this and several other reasons. Aside from the health dangers currently present in Haiti, there is real threat to a tourist’s personal safety as well.  There are numerous robberies that occur on the road from the airport to Port au Prince, and in other places where tourists are found.

In this country there are numerous desperately poor and desperately hungry people.  Most people won’t encounter any problems in this regard, but it pays to stay alert and stay in tourist areas, especially after dark.  The State Department currently has a curfew in place for its workers and does not allow them out after dark.

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