This past week around the world we’ve been focused on the recent earthquake in Haiti. As disastrous as it was, there are three remarkable things worth highlighting that have occurred as a result of the earthquake:
· The announcement on Friday by the Department of Homeland Security’s Janet Napolitano that Haitians in the US would be granted TPS or Temporary Protected Status. Major hats off need to be given to the Administration for acting so quickly after a flood of pleas and letters to the White House had asked for Haitians TPS. For those that are unaware of what TPS does, it gives temporary humanitarian immigration relief in nations that have experienced a disaster (anything from a genocide to a tsunami) by allowing nationals to apply for work authorization, apply for travel back home with a guaranteed re-entry into the US, and prevents them from being deported or held in immigration detentions. Which, you know, helps when you have to send money, aid or help back to family and friends who need assistance back home.
· To date, over $16 million dollars have been donated via mobile phones to Haiti Earthquake Relief.
· The Boston Globe has posted an amazing “Big Picture” photo essay of Haiti in the six days of aftermath, with incredible photos of looting and rubble rescue team efforts. The picture above is just one of many of the shocking and stunning photos in the series. You can check it out here:
Posted by Shilpa Nadhan
