Several stories appeared the last couple of days pointing out some of the problems that will be plaguing Haiti and well wishers from around the world as an attempt in made to get handle on the situation after the earthquakes.
Ten members of two Baptist congregations from Idaho were spotted at the Haiti - Dominican Republic border as they attempted to cross with thirty-three "orphans". Evidently they had no paperwork on the children and were naive enough to think they could bluff their way through.
Why they are taking Haitian children to establish an orphanage in the Dominican Republic is beyond me. Why not assist and enlarge the orphanage in Haiti where the children were residing? Until the story is further investigated I will give them the benefit of the doubt and not accuse them of being child traffickers.
However, UNICEF and other international agencies dedicated to child welfare are going to need to get their act together and take all necessary measures to protect the children in Haiti. During the current chaos, any number of things can happen to these children. Well meaning gestures are nice, but they are counterproductive if they in anyway imply the children involved are going to be abused in anyway.
Another story is that the US military stopped flying patients in critical condition from Haiti to Florida. Florida's governor announced that his state cannot endure the burden of paying for the expensive treatment of these patients. The White House did not jump up and say the Federal Government will assume the costs, but rather stated other solutions are being sought.
Why not use some or all of the money raised by the Hollywood Star telethon to pay for the treatment. Put the money to immediate, positive use saving lives.
Finally, last night NBC News showed a story of a doctor from a non-profit medical group going to the airport to pick up medical supplies and being told by the Haitian official responsible for distribution that the doctor needed to pay a tax for the supplies.
Thankfully, due no doubt to the presence of a television camera, the official changed his mind and the supplies were released.
The question is how long before this kind of corruption becomes the norm and aide to the suffering is controlled by bribes?
Hopefully members of the UN will be watchdogs in this area and insure that all aide donated freely from all parts of the world, is distributed freely to all of the Haitians in need.
Its Common Sense!
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