Haiti - Page 1

Hodie your information is very accurate. 
I have been to Haiti twice in the last year.  The country was in devastation before the earthquake, I can not imagine what it looks like now, the pictures you see on TV do not give it justice.  I know because when I came back the first time and shared my photos, the pictures just didn't seem to portray the degree of poverty and filth they live in daily.  So as bad as it looks on TV, in reality it is far greater.  My heart breaks for them.  I found the Haitians to be extraordinarily warm and embracing people grateful for the aide we provided at the time, yet so generous with what little they had.  To their credit, they are a very tough and resilient people group, they've had to be.  It is encouraging to see so many countries coming to their aid, AND their government allowing it.  HIstorically, Hiati's government has not allowed much outside assistance other than through mission groups.  I had the priviledge to work at an orphange for handicapped children, Notre Maison right outside of Port au Prince.  We have learned that one of the buildings was completely flattened, but thank God, no one was in it at the time.  The building housing most of the children did recieve significant damage but we do not have a lot of details at this time.  We know the director Gertrude, but their were injuries to many of the kids.  We have been unable to reach the other mission group in the Bord Mer  area near the Leogane, New Missions, it is our understanding that this is one of the hardest hit areas.  New Missions provides education, food and medical care in the remote villages.  

The rescue, recovery and rebuild effort is going to require a great deal of time and effort, but there is HOPE.   Hope is something that the Haitian people to have!  Hear are a few additional reputable humanitarian organizations that will make sure the money goes directly to aiding the Haitian children, many more of whom are now orphans. 
www.newmissions.org     www.thelovewebreathe.com

Sorry, I didn't get the above post in the correct forum.

I have a question for you SAR people.  Can cadaver or rescue dogs discern between human remains and animal remains? 
This may seem like a stupid question.  The reason I ask is because in the case of Haiti, goats (espeically goats!) pigs and other livestock co-exist in the middle of the city and towns of Haiti.  Goats and pigs freely walk down the streets.  Would a dog be able to tell the difference in a pile of rubble?  Please understand I am not putting these wonderful SAR and cadaber dogs down, I think the are anazingly awesome.  I just wonder because of the level of destrction and the fact that livestock would be buried under the same rubble as humans.  Can anyone answer this?

The dogs the LA County SAR group is taking are live human scent finding dogs, not cadaver dogs. And yes, the dogs would be able to discern between human and animal scent. Time is of the essence. People will die soon from exposure, infection and without proper sanitation being established, epidemic disease is also a real concern.

Outridinsolo, according to the people I know who have lived among the Haitians, and my own experience with Haitian friends, yes, they are a resilient and warm people. Hopefully we can all give just a little to help people who are in a desperate situation.

Thank you Hodie for the SAR info.  Obviously, I h ave no experience in that arena!  I am delighted to know that the dogs will be able to discern between human and animal scents.