Haiti: earthquake victims remain homeless

The number of displaced Haitians living in camps in the Port-au-Prince area after the destruction of their homes in a January 2010 earthquake has now fallen to about 680,000, according to estimates by the International Organization for Migration (IOM, or OIM in French). In July about 1.5 million people were living in 1,555 camps in the metropolitan area, the IOM reported; the number of camps has come down to 1,061.
But a survey of 1,033 heads of households found that the people who left the camps haven't necessarily found better shelter: about 50% are still living in inadequate housing. Most are staying in tents in their old neighborhoods, while some are staying with relatives or friends. Others have gone back to their damaged homes, despite the risks involved. An IOM report found that while some people moved out of the camps because they managed to get transitional housing, many left because of forced expulsions, the deterioration of sanitary conditions, the high rate of crime in the camps or the reduction of services there.
Most of the organizations responsible for managing the camps expect to withdraw between April and June, just as the rainy season is starting, due to lack of funds. (AlterPresse, Haiti, March 24) Adding to the problems for Port-au-Prince residents, access to drinking water has become more difficult, the National Potable Water and Sanitation Directorate (DINEPA) reported on March 22, World Water Day. (Radio Métropole, Haiti, March 25) Haiti continues to suffer from a cholera epidemic that began last October; access to clean drinking water is crucial to preventing the spread of the disease.
The nongovernmental Haitian Platform Advocating an Alternative Development (PAPDA) reports that only 30% of the $5 billion that various donor nations promised for 2010 has arrived in the country. The promises of financial aid were made to reinforce control by certain countries and international institutions and to define policies in Haiti, according to PAPDA's analysis. "It's clear: nothing has gone forward," the groups says. "Because of the crisis of capitalism, it's utopian to believe that they are going to unblock $11 billion to carry out reconstruction…. There is no way this can happen." PAPDA and other groups are planning a conference on April 28 and 29--entitled "Which Financing for Which Reconstruction?"—bringing together national and international experts to develop proposals for internal mechanisms capable of mobilizing internal resources for reconstruction, according to PAPDA program director Ricot Jean Pierre. (AlterPresse, March 25)

Nicole Scherzinger said solo album was born out of Haiti earthquake

Singer Nicole Scherzinger said her new album Killer Love was born out of the Haiti earthquake.The 32-year-old met producer Red One when they recorded the Haiti earthquake charity song last year and he helped her on her new solo project.She said to UK newspaper Daily Star: 'The one good thing to come from that tragedy was my music. It was a moving experience recording We Are The World for Haiti and I got to work with Red One, which was beautiful.

'That's when I said: 'I want to do this album with you and what I have in mind is an album that's as big and explosive as a live show.''

Caribbean quake shakes Dominican Republic

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Wednesday March 16, 2011 – A 5.3 magnitude earthquake shook the Dominican Republic this morning just days after experts warned that the country is at risk of experiencing a quake similar to the one that hit neighbouring Haiti last year.
There were no immediate reports of major damage or injury, however.
The quake, which hit around 9:37 am about 77 miles east north east of La Romana, Dominican Republic at a depth of 0.6 km (0.4 miles), was measured at 5.3 magnitude by the Santo Domingo State University’s UASD Seismology Institute. The US Geological Survey initially put it at 5.0.
The Associated Press last week reported that Columbia University researchers had warned that the Dominican Republic could be hit by an earthquake similar to the 7.0 magnitude tremor that devastated Haiti in January 2010.
“The next event of this type will probably occur on the other side of the island (Hispaniola)," said the university’s Urban Design Lab director Richard Plunz, who led the investigation. "It could generate very serious damages in the long term.”
Plunz and the rest of the researchers are to meet with President Leonel Fernandez at the end of next month in Santo Domingo to apprise him of their findings.
Worries of earthquakes in the region and calls for the Caribbean and Latin America to get themselves earthquake ready have been heightened since last Friday’s 9.0 magnitude earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
“Tragedies of this magnitude, triggering tsunami warnings across the entire Pacific and numerous other countries, underscore the importance of like-minded states collaborating in the vital area of disaster mitigation and preparedness,” acting CARICOM Secretary-General Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite said after the disaster that killed thousands and damaged a nuclear plant.

Keep an eye out for scams as you donate to tsunami relief

Reporter: Jessie Rymers

Indiana's attorney general is reminding people to keep an eye out for scams as they reach out to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

"In the immediate aftermath of the Haiti earthquake last year, Hoosiers reached deep into their wallets to donate and help the victims. But in that outpouring, there were concerns about new and untested relief groups suddenly appearing and soliciting donations online and by email," said Attorney General Greg Zoeller on Friday.

During disasters you should make sure you're donating to reputable organizations, such as The Red Cross. Other groups will often try to take advantage of sympathetic people and trick them into making donations to fictitious organizations.

To make sure you are not scammed, you should look into the background of the organization you are thinking about donating to. You should never respond to phone calls or emails soliciting donations. You should be the one to reach out to the organization.

To help you make that distinction, the attorney general recommends the website Charity Navigator. At the site, you can check whether a charity uses donations for intended purposes.

If you would like to make a donation to The Red Cross, you can do so by texting "REDCROSS" to 90999, to make a $10 donation.