A magnitude-7.0 earthquake on January 12 killed an estimated 200,000 people, left 250,000 injured and made 1.5 million homeless in Haiti, according to the European Union. Following this, there were 49 aftershocks of magnitude-4.5 or greater. January 20, saw a magnitude-5.9 aftershock send already frightened Haitians racing into the streets, collapse buildings and crack roads.

Governments worldwide have pledged nearly $1 billion in aid, and thousands of tons of food and medical supplies have been shipped. Only a fraction of those in need have been reached, and the situation remains critical. Inadequate supplies are resulting in unnecessary deaths in hospitals. There are thousands of US troops in Haiti assisting with the distribution of aid. Search and rescue missions are still searching for survivors. There are security concerns with outbreaks of looting.

In stark contrast to the frantic efforts to assist the survivors of the tragedy, American Christian televangelist, Pat Robertson, said that Haiti had been “cursed by one thing after another” since they “swore a pact to the devil” to free themselves from the yoke of the French. He added that Haitians need to have a “great turning to god.” Robertson has perverted a tragedy to suit his religious agenda. As a Christian, Robertson would be familiar with the Bible’s Book of Job, clearly shows that bad things can happen to good people. There is in fact a common theme in the old testament showing that evil doers appear to prosper, while the righteous seem to remain unrewarded. It is obvious that compassion plays little role in Robertson’s version of Christianity. A concern worth pondering is just how much influence Robertson has on the thinking of fundamentalist Christians.

Florida-based Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has docked a ship on private Haitiian beach 60 miles from where people are trapped beneath the rubble. Passengers “enjoy jetski rides, parasailing, and rum cocktails delivered to their hammocks” as well as pass their time “shopping for trinkets at a craft market” under the watchful eyes of armed security personnel. Since 1986, the Royal Caribbean line has provided the largest source of tourism revenue to Haiti, paying the Haitian government $6 per passenger and employing about 300 locals, including security guards, beach monitors, waiters, cleaners, as well as some managers. Approximately 200 more locals find work here selling their wares or by providing entertainment.

While the ship admittedly brought in 40 pallets of relief supplies and there is an injection of capital from tourists buying trinkets, the whole thing seems somewhat distasteful. To quote one passenger, “I just can’t see myself sunning on the beach, playing in the water, eating a barbecue, and enjoying a cocktail while there are tens of thousands of dead people being piled up on the streets, with the survivors stunned and looking for food and water.” I find myself thinking about World War II with townspeople just outside concentration camps living their lives totally desensitized to the suffering of those whose only escape from their torments was through the crematorium chimneys. An unfair comparison perhaps, but the same sort of desensitization is required.

Profiteers have already launched aid scams for those suffering in Haiti. Those wishing to donate should stick to reputable aid agencies as there are scam artists attempting to capitalize off the Haitian tragedy. There are email and telemarketing scams to be watchful of. There is good advice available on-line including that from the FBI.

I find it heartening that in the face of disaster there is a surge of compassion from so many people. I am, however, prevented from putting on my rose-tinted glasses by those who are profiteering from the tragedy, either monetarily or ideologically.

Tony Mierzwicki