Blogs from Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Central America Caribbean - page 11

Central America Caribbean » Haiti » Port-au-Prince January 26th 2010

I am currently on a few days' break after an intense 90 days at the HODR project in the small village of Sungai Geringging, West Sumatra, Indonesia, and though we have sporadic unreliable internet at the HODR house, I haven't been able to watch any TV news from Haiti. Horrifying pictures, sad and tragic articles from the net, yes, but no video. I am now in KL, Malaysia, relaxing on my guesthouse couch on which I have hardly moved the past four days, and only yesterday I watched my first CNN coverage of the aftermath of the devastating Haiti earthquakes. I can't say I remember having so many tears in recent times. Watching the TV accounts of the devastation and chaotic mess that is Haiti right now and remembering with fondness the 4 1/2 months ... read more

With Merlin in Haiti

Central America Caribbean » Haiti » Port-au-Prince January 18th 2010

A very common site throughout Port au Prince

alexcottin

AS PART OF MERLIN'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE TEAM, I SPENT TWO WEEKS IN HAITI, FOLLOWING A DEVASTATING 7.0 EARTHQUAKE THAT RAVAGED THE ISLAND ON JANUARY 12TH. THE FOLLOWING IS A RECAP OF MY PERIODICAL UPDATES FROM THE FIELD. ------- (The first few days) 12 Jan Just wrapping up my day at the office when a New York Times Alert pops in to my inbox, indicating that Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere had been ravaged by a 7.0 Earthquake. I could only imagine how devastating that was for such a precarious island. CNN was already fearing that the death toll would be astronomically high. Surely, Merlin would be responding. It had to! Hard to say exactly what we would do given that the London team was well into the night. Despite the uncertainty, I tried ... read more

Arriving in Haiti Nov 4th 2008

Central America Caribbean » Haiti » Port-au-Prince November 16th 2008

sionfonds

We arrived in Port au Prince on the 4th around 12:30. Getting off the plane into the humid heat and walking across the tarmac, several team members were delighted by the temperature which was a really good sign for the rest of the trip. The Haitian band that sits in the entrance to the airport for the passengers played away as we lined up at the passport check point. We all got through without a hitch and into the baggage claim area. I think of this part as "Welcome to Haiti, get ready, it is an intense place" After you have gone through the airport a few times it is not a problem, but having led a few groups through it now I know it can be a bit overwhelming. There are many people there who ... read more

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