By Hilite Staff

It’s ironic that tragedy always seems to bring people closer together. This remains true in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. A country which already sat in the ravage of poverty now sits in rubble and hopelessness.

The response that has come from not only the United States but countries around the world has been unbelievable. These countries rightfully deserve commendation for their contributions, but they must remember that recovery will take years; everyone, CHS students included, should do his or her part to continue to help even though the earthquake itself has started to fade from our immediate memories.

The attention that has come to this tiny, impoverished nation is exponential compared to the “cold shoulder” the world had turned on it before the tragedy. The initial financial support for Haiti is of a magnitude even stronger than the earthquake itself. According to a CBS News story, “Haiti Recovery Effort by the Numbers,” the U.N. Emergency appeal has sent $550 million – and the U.S. government, $100 million – to Haiti.

Though the outreach is great, the immediate needs that remain are still greater. For instance, the need of drinking water in Haiti is equivalent to the water needed to fill 18 Olympic-sized swimming pools daily. The cooperation between different organizations and countries is admirable and should be used as an example in dealing with future catastrophes, but the needs still continue.

Americans have come to a time, here in the land of opportunity, where it seems they can stop their work and celebrate what’s already been done, but they must remember that the work goes on. The recovery effort easily will go on for months, or even years. Americans are too quick to put tragedy behind us. For example, it seems today, the only time that Hurricane Katrina is mentioned, the story involves the New Orleans Saints, not the help that is still desperately needed. In that area of our own country, people are still living with family and friends, some thousands of miles from New Orleans.

These people still need help, and it seems time and lack of media attention costs them that help. Americans cannot let this happen in Haiti. Another example, the tsunami in Indonesia, now years later, is rarely mentioned on the anniversary of when it happened, if mentioned at all.

Although it might seem like enough help has been sent, now is the time to continue to help and rebuild the infrastructure and ensure that families can “restart” their lives in Haiti. Without help, the Haitians, unable to rebuild their economy, will sit in poverty for decades to come.

Now about a month and a half after the initial catastrophe, Americans need to remember that their “friends” in Haiti still need help and will continue to need help until their nation is rebuilt.

Therefore, Americans should make a personal goal to set aside a small amount each month to give to the relief fund in Haiti, remembering that until the job is done, we cannot give up. Although in a very different context, Americans should use the late-Sen. Edward “Ted” Kennedy’s famous words as a message to all Haitians. “For all those, whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives, and the dream shall never die.”