On January 12th of 2010, a shocking earthquake hit Haiti. This damaged houses and other important buildings, but its worst effect was that it killed millions of Haitians and their loved ones. Now, nearing the disaster’s one-year anniversary, the Haitians and volunteers from around the world are coming together to clean up the country, attempting to make it a better place. They are building houses and other building much stronger than their previous structures – buildings resistant to earthquakes. Before the earthquake, Haitians were already upset because of their poverty, but now they are more upset. Most have lost a loved one or they are dying of a disease, struggling to survive. Most countries have promised to rebuild Haiti, but so far none of the countries have given sufficient funds to the suffering country.

People from Haiti say, "even though the earthquake has messed up our houses and surroundings, it has not messed up are own dreams." People in Haiti now are tired, traumatized, and angry at the lack of visible progress in rebuilding Haiti. Some of the people in Haiti are settling in with the way of life after the quake, but others still can’t sleep or be comfortable where they are. Some say that when they try to go to sleep by turning the lights off, they’re scared of the dark – so many girls are scared they’ll be raped like many young Haitian women. A twelve year old that was interviewed on CBS says that on the streets there is fighting, screaming and people running. She also says that the sound is that of emergency trucks. She continued to say the sirens weren’t always bad, because they meant that someone was getting help. She also tells CBS that she doesn’t want to leave the country – her home – and nobody can take that away from her. The terrible earthquake had damaged this poor country and made them in a terrible position, but it is also bringing them all together to help their country and survive.

After the disastrous earthquake hit, another tragedy struck Haiti’s suffering population – Cholera, a disease unreported in Haiti for over 100 years. Cholera broke out during October of 2010, taking the lives of thousands (3,481 as of this week) – and counting. In addition, nearly 200,000 citizens have obtained the disease and its painful effects. Prominent symptoms of Cholera include diarrhea and vomiting, resulting in severe dehydration. Cholera is caused by human waste existing in drinking water and food. The bacterial infection can be spread by the bacteria existing on the hands of those infected spreading to the food or skin of others.

Allegations were made that the outbreak of this potentially fatal infection is due to the acts of United Nations troops from Nepal at a peacekeeping base. A local farmer supposedly saw waste from the camp being dumped into a river. This body of water, the rural Artibonite River, flowed to secluded parts of the frazzled nation. The sickness spread quickly, and resulted in many deaths, as mentioned above. The UN having been the source of so much pain and tragedy, efforts of the organization may be viewed with less credibility. The disease has recently spread to neighboring Dominican Republic.

The United States has made many efforts to help Haiti. Many troops and special services have been sent into the country to aid the Cholera epidemic and help rebuild the country, especially in its capital, Port-au-Prince. Medical, task forces, Army troops, peacekeepers, and many other aids have been sent to relive the suffering nation. The American Red Cross has donated more than $1 million to the efforts in Haiti. Many private companies have raised money to help the situation, as well as many doctors, researchers, and other volunteers donated their time, money, and skill.

The importance of this event is more of the reaction it caused.  The United States has played a major role in helping Haiti recover, showing the American government as strong, stable, and more humanitarian than previously portrayed.  The government and the people of the US have shown a great quality of compassionate leadership when it comes to helping the poorest country in the western hemisphere.  If all countries were able to come together on issues besides a devastating earthquake (like climate change, the war on terror, the global economic crisis, etc), then perhaps a helpful change could be made as it was in Haiti.