In the wake of the terrifyingly tragic earthquake in Haiti, it has been gratifying to see private citizens give so generously to relief efforts. At the same time however, we shouldn’t forget that our own country’s policies can have a considerable impact on Haiti’s recovery. Check out what constitutional lawyer/human rights activist/Katrina survivor Bill Quigley has to say in his piece, “Ten Things the US Can and Should Do for Haiti.”
Item #3, for example:
Give Haiti grants as help, not loans. Haiti does not need any more debt. Make sure that the relief given helps Haiti rebuild its public sector so the country can provide its own citizens with basic public services.
Shalom Rav 
All are on targest, but the one I liked best was the recommendation we apologize for Rush Limbaugh’s and Pat Roberston’s comments. On the other hand, I am gratified that so many Americans are outraged at both.
This is a great list, and I’ll be adding a link to it at my own place.
May I also suggest that people get in touch with their Senators and Representative about The Jubilee act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation. I learned on Boing Boing that “part of what this bill would do is help countries like Haiti get their debt canceled, without making that cancellation conditional on things like closing down free schools or raising the cost of fresh water.”
You can find your Senators by going to http://www.senate.gov, and your Representative by going to http://www.house.gov. If people would like to see a sample letter/phone script, or would like some background on Haiti (such as why debt forgiveness is so important) and/or a few other ideas for what to do to help, they can go to this post at my place: http://emilylhauserinmyhead.wordpress.com/2010/01/14/learning-haiti/
If you are looking for a place to contribute:
Jewish Federation Haitian Earthquake Relief Fund
http://www.juf.org/relief_fund/
100% of collected funds will go directly to aid the victims; the Jewish Federation will not deduct any administrative costs.
I thank your piece on Haiti and reminding us that a disaster can be used by the government and business to further oppress those that are suffering.
I think there are three other very important things to consider during this crisis.
1. It was Haitians that led the first anti-slavery revolt that successfully threw out the French from what was at that time the richest colony in the world. Haitians for hundreds of years have been harshly punished for their audacity to make a point to all oppressed peoples who dared to challenge their lot.
2. Jewish organizations often play into the situation treating it as a onetime natural disaster that requires a monetary band-aid rather than a systemic problem supported by hundreds of years of repressive international policy. There is no reason so many people should have died. If an earthquake of the same strength had hit San Francisco, the death and destruction would have been a fraction. We need to take this opportunity to learn more about why Haiti has been so seriously underdeveloped, and how we can support substantive change.
3. We cannot and should not buy into the image of Haitians perpetuated by some in the media as a hopeless case. One of the great contributions of the Jewish people is our understanding of the importance of holding open the window of hope for the future for every people. We can and will make things right and good.
4. President Obama has granted Haitians living in the U.S. Temporary Protected Status enabling them to get papers that enable them to live legally for an extended period of time. It is significant that he did not hesitate to use his executive power. Now, he must be encouraged to build on this and go the full nine yards for comprehensive immigration reform.
Aliza Becker
See below for footage of Israel’s contributions with the rescue effort in Haiti: