Florida Matters: Disaster in Haiti (January 15, 2010)

On the Radio

Courtesy Global Toronto, http://www.globaltoronto.com/PHOTO+GALLERY+Haiti+Earthquake/2436018/story.html

Disaster in Haiti

Estimates put the number of dead in the tens of thousands as recovery continues from a devastating earthquake in Haiti. The quake is being felt well beyond Haiti’s borders, including in Florida, which is home to more than 200,000 Haitians. We’ll meet a few of the thousands of local Haitians who have family and friends on the island. Plus, we’ll talk about the country’s future -- and how that future will impact Florida and the U.S.

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Program Schedule

Radio - Tuesday at 6:30 PM | Sunday at 7:30 AM on WUSF 89.7 Friday at 7:00 PM on WSMR 89.1

Radio Guests

Sclafani Louis-JeuneStaff Assistant in USF’s College of Engineering

Sharon PierreUSF Student and Owner of Oui Li Bon, a Haitian Catering Company

Jean-Rene RinvilFounder of iVisionTV.net and a freelance producer

Dr. Wayne WesthoffAssistant Professor of Global Health at USF

Lavinia LimonPresident and CEO of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

William GheenPresident of Americans for Legal Immigration

Audio extras

Jean Rinvil, Sharon Pierre and Sclafani Louis-Jeune explain why the first thing Haiti needs once rebuilding efforts begin is leadership from the top levels of government and training to help the government lead more effectively. (3:22)

Louis-Jeune says the U.S. needs to change its immigration policy toward Haitians because many who come here just want to work or get an education and provide support to their family back home. (1:19)

Lavinia Limon says her organization has been critical of the U.S. policy of interdiction at sea for immigrants from Haiti and other Caribbean nations because it doesn't give potential refugees a fair hearing of their issues. (1:50)

Radio: Related Links

NPR’s Coverage of the Haiti Earthquake

Americans for Legal Immigration

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants

For more information

If you’re looking for information about family members in Haiti, the U.S. State Department has set up a hotline at 1-888-407-4747. You may email inquiries to: Haiti-Earthquake@state.gov.

This list of charities working in Haiti is provided for information only. WUSF does not recommend or endorse these charities, but we have attempted to compile a list of large international organizations involved in relief efforts:

American Jewish World Service
AmeriCares
Direct Relief International
Doctors Without Borders
Mercy Corps
Oxfam
Red Cross (From your cell phone, you can text “HAITI” to 90999 to make a $10 donation to the Red Cross, which will be charged to your cell phone bill.)
Salvation Army
Save the Children
UNICEF
World Food Program
World Vision

You can check out charities you’re thinking about donating to -- and find other charities working in Haiti -- through Charity Navigator and Network for Good.

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Florida Matters

Florida Matters tackles tough issues, highlights little-known stories from our part of the world, and provides a greater perspective of what it means to live in the Sunshine State.