It’s hard to believe, but today marks 30 days since the already badly impoverished nation of Haiti was slammed by a massive earthquake in the heart of its capital city. And just 30 days out, we can already see a slight but noticeable waning of media and popular interest in the catastrophe. Like all tragedies, whether international, or even personal, we get back up, we look forward, and we move on.

But for those who call Haiti their home, who survived but with no hope of leaving and starting over someplace else, for those who lost family and loved ones, who didn’t have a chance to say good bye, who are still barely hanging- no doubt for them, the past 30 days have gone by in a surreal blur, with a dark and uncertain future stretched out far ahead of them.

Feb 2, 2010. Marie Helene Destin, Elvie Joseph and Mayo Joseph open a cooking set provided by the Red Cross in Settlement Diahatsu. Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Photo: Talia Frenkel/American Red Cross

It was stated early on in this relief effort that the American Red Cross is not approaching its mission in Haiti in terms of weeks, months, or even years. We are committed to being in Haiti for the long haul. It has also been claimed elsewhere that perhaps the aftermath of this disaster will afford the possibility of real and lasting changes and improvements in the life of Haiti and its people.

The Red Cross prevents, prepares, and responds to disaster… period. We do not rebuild governments, or schools, or economies. But the programs and services we provide, both in terms of immediate relief and long term efforts, contribute in important ways to the most basic and fundamental of human needs. We’ve brought water systems and water access points back on line, and constructed new ones. We’ve set up kitchen and food pantries, we’ve set up temporary shelters and latrines, and we’ve helped families connect or at least find out the fate of loved ones. We’ve also provided mental health services. All of these services will help affected individuals and communities to at least find the solid ground on which to stand, gather themselves, and begin to look forward.

Over the next several years, we can expect to see the Red Cross constructing and managing water and sanitation facilities for long term use. We will be implementing various agricultural programs, and even works projects. Just this week, the American Red Cross announced that it will be implementing the Measles Vaccine Initiative in Haiti along with other health and nutrition related programs targeted at vulnerable groups.

It will take a very long time and the deliberate and focused energy of many organizations and individuals to help Haiti to emerge from this disaster. But driven by the principles of humanity and dignity, and supported by the generosity of communities like our own, the American Red Cross is committed to making a lasting difference.

Michael

Michael Braeuninger is the International Services Supervisor for the American Red Cross St. Louis Area Chapter.