Haitian Hurdles

The lead article in today’s New York Times is titled, “Patience Wears Thin as Haiti’s Desperation Grows.” It describes the current situation in Haiti after the devastating 7.0 earthquake.

Finally, the United States seems to be imposing some order. The airport, previously operated in a chaotic manner, was taken over by Americans and the FAA who now requires advance permission to land for any airplane. Humanitarian aid is an exception, but clear regulations were provided that they must have at least an extra hour’s worth of fuel to circle the airport, if necessary.

About 10,000 U.S. troops have arrived or are on the verge of arriving to pass out aid and maintain order. The United Nations has started to supply food though only to a fraction of those who need it, 8,000 out of an estimated two to three million who desperately need assistance.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is on her way to the region, and the Obama administration must be praised, regardless of your party, for its swift response to the crisis. There is limited looting and violence though things seem to have remained calm, at least for now.

One of the major problems seems to be disposal of the bodies, currently lying in the street and decomposing. It must be a horrific scene, and it should give us some pause to be thankful for our current well-being.