Maybe you've been following the ongoing devastation in Haiti, maybe you haven't... but in brief here it is. A new disaster is on it's way for Haiti. It's the rainy season. Many of the temporary camps housing hundreds of thousands of people have already been flooded out after only a couple of hours of rain. But it's only the beginning. With the rains, it becomes increasingly difficult to control the spread of disease. Those who are still in the process of healing are in particular danger.The actor Sean Penn, along with a woman named Diana Jenkins have started a relief organization and effort to relocate these at risk tent communities as quickly as possible to lessen the effects the rainy season will have on these quake victims.
Although I haven't been a fan of Penn's liberal politics, I am VERY impressed with what I have seen of his organization. You can check it out for yourself here and see what you think.
Not long after the quake Penn was interviewed by Campbell Brown on CNN...
CAMPBELL BROWN: Let me ask you, it's been a month since the earthquake, I mean, first struck. In your mind right now, given what you've seen, what do you think the most pressing concern is?
SEAN PENN: The rain. When the rain comes, it's going to be a public health disaster. They could easily be on the scale of the earthquake itself. Disease is spreading already, tuberculosis, typhoid, tetanus, malaria. The place, you know, which already had incredible hygiene problems within the neighborhoods, now with the earthquake, this is a new disaster waiting to happen.
Not long after the quake Penn was interviewed by Campbell Brown on CNN...
CAMPBELL BROWN: Let me ask you, it's been a month since the earthquake, I mean, first struck. In your mind right now, given what you've seen, what do you think the most pressing concern is?SEAN PENN: The rain. When the rain comes, it's going to be a public health disaster. They could easily be on the scale of the earthquake itself. Disease is spreading already, tuberculosis, typhoid, tetanus, malaria. The place, you know, which already had incredible hygiene problems within the neighborhoods, now with the earthquake, this is a new disaster waiting to happen.
He was interviewed again tonight by (one of my favorites) Anderson Cooper, speaking from Haiti Penn again reiterated the presssing need for immediate relocation. Sadly politcs seem to be standing in the way and much of the good that was done early on after the quake is being undone by the rains and the petty squabbles of governmental employees.
I don't mean to rant. But I do. I can get easily frustrated by these things. I hate when real people, in desperate need, are treated as pawns in the career advancements of those who are, by all apearances, living a rather sheltered life... I want to go and knock a few heads, tell them to get over themselves and relocate these people already. Worry about more permanent solutions when the immediate dangers are resolved.
Instead I will pray. I pray that God holds back the rain until they are able to relocate. I pray that miraculously and surprisingly the spread of these diseases is stopped. I pray for quick healing for those that are recovering from major surgeries and illnesses. I pray that God prompts those in authority to do what is right for these people. I pray that those with actual giftings in administration will be in place to actively, quickly and effectively moderate the relocation of these at risk tent cities... and further still the rebuilding of homes, hospitals, schools and businesses in Haiti.
Won't you pray this with me?
