In Haiti, Life Will Triumph Death
This morning on NPR, I was listening to an interview of a man who is a resident of Canada and trying to contact his father who lives in Haiti. So far he had not had any luck. He is only one of the many who are trying frantically to contact their loved ones.
Just a few months back the man had asked his father to join him in Canada, but his father refused saying that he feels the country is poised for a big turnover. He said, “This place is jostling with activities, I see tremendous opportunity for many people to improve their lives. I would like to stay here and help my people.”
Haiti had more than its fair share of bad luck in recent time. In May 2004, three days of continuous rain caused floods taking more than 2,600 lives. Later in the same year a tropical storm brought havoc and created landslides killing 1,900 and making 200,000 people homeless. In 2008, Haiti was again hit by several hurricanes and a tropical storm that caused more than 800 deaths and caused widespread damage to property and livestock.
The recent earthquake however, superseded all previous catastrophes in causing devastation to life and property. It has left millions homeless and has taken lives of over 50,000 people, setting back all the progress that this tiny Latin American country had made in the last few years. It is too early to assess the true extent of damage of Haiti’s long term potential.
It would be a daunting task for the people of Haiti to overcome such a great calamity. Notwithstanding, the people of Haiti had proven before that they can do it and they sure would do it again.
Human resilience is so strong that it can overcome any odds. Haitians will prove that life triumphs death; and they have the prayer of the whole world with them.
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