The Good Of A Storm

11:53 local time, 12th January 2010, just south-westerly of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. An earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale blitzed through the land form of the small Caribbean island. It is two weeks since hell quite literally broke loose and since then the UK alone has raised £40 million from public generosity. This is why I feel there is always good of the storm. After every recent world disaster; be it Hurricane Katrina or the Boxing Day tsunami; they always see a huge humanitarian response.

However, Haiti has seemed different. I'm not sure why; but I think the strong celebrity following that it has attracted has had some impact. George Clooney set up a telethon, similar to that of Children in Need, for his newly found campaign, 'Hope for Haiti Now', and although I totally support his movement to give a helping to those in Haiti, I believe that for some celebrities, it may have become a case of self-promotion for their respective careers. I would call it jumping on the band wagon. But, again, that telethon broadcast in over 32 nations globally raised an additional $61 million and that doesn't include the 'Help for Haiti Now' album which has now been released. So, whether the 'storm' in the title of this post is referring to the actual quake or the celebrities pouncing on it, great good came from it.

But, of course, this 'good' doesn't quite measure up to pain and affliction being felt within in many in Haiti. But if any good can be brought from such a dire affair, that is success.

You can still help the afflicted in Haiti by doanting to the DEC appeal below.
DEC Haiti Earthquake Appeal