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As many of you know, on January 12, 2010, when a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti and devastated the capital city Port-au-Prince, I was in immediate contact with CARE. I wanted to help with the relief efforts. And, I wanted to use the breathtaking power of social media to bring attention and support tor CARE’s lifesaving work.
On January 16th, with bags packed, I was scheduled to fly with CARE COO Steve Hollingsworth and a reporter from People Magazine. At the last minute, the call came in that CARE was holding back all non-essential staff. A prison had collapsed, all of the prisoners escaped, water was becoming increasingly scarce — and conditions on the ground were orders-of-magnitude more volatile than any of us understood.
My initial reaction was one of gut-wrenching disappointment. I felt like a truck hit me. I had consulted with my family, we accepted the risks — and I wanted to be in the fight on the ground in Haiti! I’m a CARE Ambassador. If something were to happen to me, well, I would have been doing what I love with the organization I love on behalf of people in great need. There are worse ways to die.
Part of my disappointment stemmed from the feeling that I let all of you down. I had announced my trip on Twitter and received a veritable deluge of support from you all. It was so heartening. I wanted to be there, to bring you with me — and to bring your hearts to the people of Haiti — and theirs to you. It was disheartening when my trip was delayed.
But, CARE was focused first-and-foremost on saving lives. They had a monumental task in front of them and they couldn’t take their eyes off that for a second.
So here’s where we are: CARE continues to closely monitor conditions on the ground. When they feel the initial relief effort of water, food, medical attention, sanitation and safety have been put into place, they will call me in.
And frankly, I look forward to going when the mainstream media has pulled out. I believe the “shock-and-awe” style of reporting, epidemic among major media outlets, assaults our senses — and insults our sensibilities. And it doesn’t help the people of Haiti, because that style of reporting makes us feel more hopeless than hopeful. While it is important to report the grim realities of any crisis, if you’re like me, you believe that the real work begins once the immediate relief effort has subsided. The news about the rebuild should be just as worthy, and just as reported, as the news about the relief.
We have a way of responding to acute events, and leaving once they become unfashionable to cover (Katrina is a perfect example of this). The story here — in Haiti — is that CARE stands with the people of Haiti for the long haul. They’re not going anywhere. CARE is going to stay on the ground until that country, and those precious people, are stronger and more empowered than ever. And, that is where I stand.
I’ve always believed that in every challenge lies opportunity. The people of the world must work with the people of Haiti to help rebuild its infrastructure to a point where, coming out of the crisis, people’s quality of life is higher. And, God forbid, another such natural disaster should befall Haiti, they will be far more equipped to handle it. This isn’t about us helping them. It should be about them empowering themselves.
So, I remain unflinching, undaunted and undeterred. I am going to Haiti. If it’s in 24 hours, 24 days or 24 weeks. I am going. When CARE feels it’s safe enough for me to go, I will go. And, when I go, I will show you the breathtaking work of CARE in a way you’ve never imagined. And, I will listen to you: every Tweet, every post and everything you say about how we can do things better — and help Haiti even more. Mine will be people-driven coverage, not “media-driven coverage.”
We are in the midst of building a page for my time in Haiti: HELP HAITI. The concept is 1+1=ONE: raise $1 million and 1 million followers for CARE — for ONE world. Please take a look. We’re still working on it — and your input will help us finish it — but it will be up for as long as the people of Haiti need help in rebuilding their country and their lives.
I thank you all of your unflinching support. I love you guys.
E.
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