Dominicans react to Haiti disaster

Hiendel Obrian

On Tuesday, a massive earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter Scale shook the Haitian capital Port-Au-Prince. Thousands are feared dead and massive relief efforts are underway to aid the survivors. Dominican News Online took to the streets to garner reactions from residents here.

Hiendel Obrian

“From what I have been hearing I think it’s very sad and I think every country should at least contribute what they have to the community to Haiti and see if there is any way they can help and them to better themselves in this current unfortunate situation. And I also believe that every school should probably get involved and ask students to contribute at least a dollar. Even the big companies should step in and out a hand. Even if its $500 but put something to help the Haitian society.”

Marilyn Hodge

“It’s a very unfortunate situation that has occurred in Haiti. I think that we Dominicans need to stand in solidarity and support our brothers and sisters in Haiti.”

Magdalene Isles

Kelvin Prosper

“It was real bad. I felt real bad. Because you never know what will happen to us tomorrow, because we have around five or six volcanoes all around us. We really have to feel for Haiti for what happened to them. I feel very, very sorrowful. Help them. Help them out in money or clothes or dry ration. Help them in a way that anybody else would help us because after Hurricane David we got help too.”

Teacher

“One of my students has relatives in Haiti that his parents cannot find out about. And we are working as a school to see what we can do in terms of aid for Haiti right now. It is a bit difficult for me personally, because I can’t see it and watch it on the television; it is so hard to comprehend. I mean, I don’t think I can really begin to imagine what the people are going through. And when I think of what if it was Dominica and having my family, my friends, my husband, my children and being in a situation where we have nowhere to live, nowhere to go, maybe not even knowing whether they are alive or not it’s really hard and I think as Dominicans we really need to do as much as possible to help the people in Haiti, to help the Haitians and even those that are here. Because a lot of the Haitians who are here leave their children in Haiti and they are here now and they do not know about their children, so I think we should do as much as we can.”

Joan

Magdalene Isles

“It’s very unfortunate what happened to them. We should all be our brothers’ keeper. Be a good Samaritan and donate as much as you can to the people of Haiti,” Isles remarked.

Kelvin Prosper

Joan

Errickson
Errickson Ophar

“It’s a very sad thing that happened in Haiti. Dominicans are very loving people and it was a very good way that Dominicans in a short space of time…we raise a portion of money to send to them and we hope that whatever we send reaches them it is shared evenly because as we are seeing it on the television, it’s terrible. Very terrible. I really don’t know how these people are going to get over that because, to see those kinds of things happen there is a psychological effect. I knew we in Dominica in the time of Hurricane David, we thought we had it bad, but what I saw there.. it’s terrible.  But I believe that with all the help that they are getting I believe it time for a new beginning, a new Haiti, Let us just pray that things just turn out on the good side.”

Errickson Ophar

“A very grave situation that’s going on in Haiti. My two co-workers cannot reach their families in Haiti. They are worried. They don’t know if they are alive or dead. I am asking Dominicans to assist in any way they can,” Ophar said.

Marilyn Hodge

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4 Comments

  1. miss joseph
    January 24, 2010

    Yes, this is a terrible ordeal, although I dont live in Dominicia , i was very sadden , because my mother, father, brothers and sisters are there, and It could be Dominica. God is telling us something. He uses desaster to get our attention

  2. January 17, 2010

    MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NOT UP TILL NOW HEARD FROM THERE LOVE ONES JUST KEEP ON PRAYING FOR THE LORD NEVER FAILS US.

  3. andy
    January 15, 2010

    guadaman, i think you are absolutely right. There will be plenty of time to go in and help with the finishing touches. This cleanup will take years!

  4. guadaman
    January 15, 2010

    this is the worst natural disaster i have heard of and that happened so close to us, no doubt we should help in whatever way we can,but i do believe we should wait for the right time to do so,right now i would let the super powers play their part as far as logistics and heavy equipments are concerned, then when things have settled somewhat then we play our part,right now things are a bit confused and not quite organised this will bring more chaous to just send things anyhow,i wonder what skewo was gonig in haiti to do at this time

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