Haiti

Today marks the six month anniversary of the massive Haiti earthquake.  Where do we stand?  Last month, the UN OCHA released these facts and figures about the status of Haiti's recovery. 

After the earthquake, parks, lawns and vacant lots became tent cities for people who lost their dwellings. Of course, it's not as if people had time to conduct a geographic analysis of where they staked a tarp.  And as it turns out, many of these open spaces are prone to flooding.  That includes a golf course in Port au Prince, where some 5o,000 people staked tents or tarps. Once the rainy season hits in earnest, parts  f the golf course turn into a mud bath. 

By Minh-Thu Pham, Director of Public Policy for the Better World Campaign/UN Foundation

One month after the Haiti earthquake the United Nations issued a $1.4 billion "Flash" appeal for emergency funding for things like tents, food, shelter and other relief items.  Two months later, that appeal is still only half filled.  Here's where we stand.

“Aid is important, but aid has never saved a country,” U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told officials assembled at the international donor conference for Haiti, held yesterday at the UN headquarters in New York City.

Barack Obama and Haiti President Rene Preval speak to a public audience after a private meeting in the Oval Office. 

The top UN official in Haiti traveled to UN headquarters for the first time in eight weeks and briefed the press on Haiti recovery efforts.  Here are some (paraphrased) highlights from the briefing.  You can watch for yourself via UN webcast

As Matt noted, reigning Idol champ Kris Allen traveled to Haiti last week with UN Foundation CEO Kathy Calvin to visit the relief efforts.  (Recall: We posted some exclusive video of that trip.)  Well, Thursday night, on Fox at 8pm EST (7 Central) you can see more from the Haiti trip when Idol airs a special episode dedicated to Haiti. 

At 8pm EST, Season 8 winner Kris Allen will perform "Let it Be" and present footage of his trip to Haiti with the UN Foundation.