Last night’s television news brought stories like any other normal evening – including one about a quake in a distant, small nation – nowhere near Tasmania.  At that time, while the images were disturbing, there was not the indication that the human tragedy to later emerge would be as shocking and on such a massive scale.

BBC News: The Haitian Prime Minister has annouced that he believed more than 100,000 of his people had died. The UN mission has collapsed, the Red Cross says up to three million people are affected.   Parliament has collapsed. Schools have collapsed. Hospitals have collapsed.

The Australian:  The US, France, Canada and governments across Latin America were scrambling to mount an aid effort for Haiti last night, after an earthquake levelled buildings and caused an unknown number of casualties.

United Nations:  Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has issued an urgent call to the international community to assist Haiti. There is no doubt that we are facing a major humanitarian emergency and that a major relief effort will be required,” he said. Expressing gratitude to nations rushing aid to the earthquake’s victims, he called for the world to “come to Haiti’s aid in this hour of need.”

A compassionate Tasmanian response

The urgent efforts to rescue trapped survivors, together with attending to the wounded is certainly the key priority. Few Tasmanians, if any, will be directly involved in that effort.

At times like these we should not stumble over our sadness and fail to act.  Our long distance apart, our lack of time, ability or skills to assist the practical rescue and rebuilding effort should not cause any of us to respond only with sadness.  We should recognise that we all have our part to play – and that can include prayer, urging our Australian Government to contribute to the cause and for each of us to consider a personal donation to a recognised aid charity.  From my experience during the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, aid organisations and host countries find the donation of phyisical items such as used clothing or building materials inefficient and sometimes even unhelpful.  The best way to help is to make a financial donation.  Here are some recommended agencies which are recognised by AusAid and attract tax deductibility:

• Compassion Australia has launched an urgent appeal for the children of Haiti after this morning’s devastating earthquake. Compassion has more than 64,000 children supported in the country, including more than 4,600 sponsored by Australians.  Donations made to Compassion Australia will support emergency response efforts to Compassion assisted children and their families, including fresh water, clothing, blankets, food and hygiene kits.
• World Vision’s rapid response team is conducting assessments and preparing a relief response and accepting donations.
• Australian Red Cross has launched an appeal. Local and international Red Cross staff and volunteers are providing relief in the most needed areas.

It’s 8:47am and I have taken the above action.  Please join me.