The Haiti disaster has seen a mass pulling together of all industries of late, Google setting up an appeal link on their homepage and even industries that could otherwise be accused of being self-serving setting up donation routes of enquiry. This has been reflected in international immigration circles, Canada has introduced priority processing for Canadian visas from Haitians and the US has also followed suit with measures being looked into to halt the deportation of Haitians.

The disaster which is being likened to a Tsunami in the devastating effect it has had on the population of this small country, has seen vast numbers of people either being found dead or suspected of being killed by the earthquake, official figures put the number at close to 200,000 fatalities. As a result of this, and as the aftermath of the disaster takes it toll, increasing numbers of refugees are attempting to cross into the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic has been praised recently by the US government for the role it’s played in the evacuation of US citizens. The country has also recently been the staging ground for a meeting to discuss how the situation in Haiti will be addressed going forward. The meeting which was attended by the leaders and officials of the Caribbean community (Caricom) as well as leading financial institutions and governments’ aimed to tackle what humanitarian and financial efforts could be offered to the country.

What ever measures are put in place, what is clear is that the country greatly needs help to rebuild it. Homes and buildings have been destroyed leaving thousands homeless and the possibility that those displaced will seek refuge in other countries and thus causing an immigration nightmare. The immigration measures put in place relieve the worry that some individuals must have, however a firm resolution and plan needs to be agreed upon so that the people of Haiti can rebuild their country, homes and lives after what is a terrible disaster.

Donate to UNICEF to help the people of Haiti

UNICEF is deploying clean water and sanitation supplies, therapeutic foods, medical supplies and temporary shelter to the people of Haiti. Visit the UNICEF website.