When Elephants Fight…

…the grass gets trampled. Wracked by political violence and ever growing uncertainty, the need for humanitarian aid to Haiti has never been so great. This African proverb is a poignant reminder that while gangs take advantage of the political infighting of the capital city, the rest of nation suffers, slipping further into privation.

Outlying towns and villages, far removed from Port-au-Prince by near-impassible dirt roads, reverberate from the violence in the capital. Non-governmental organizations pull out, funding dries up, and the remaining people are left simply with abandoned projects and lost hope. For areas such as Gonaives, still reeling from Tropical Storm Jeanne that killed thousands and destroyed the livelihoods of thousands more last year, the consequences of such a mass exodus of aid workers and programs can be catastrophic.

It is during these tumultuous times that we must remain not only steadfast in our commitment to helping others, but look for ways to be more proactive. There are still numerous programs running that need the support of the developed world. Simply advocating on the behalf of local organizations, or one you might find within our site, to spread word of this tragedy can do more than many might imagine.

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