From Awareness to Action in Haiti- Helping the UN Help Recover and Rebuild

A little over a week ago I traveled to Haiti, accompanied by American Idol Kris Allen. Kris wanted to help raise awareness and funding for UN efforts to help the Haitians in their efforts to recover and re-build. While in Haiti, I saw immense suffering and grief. That was to be expected. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives and millions more their livelihoods. But amid all this heartbreak, I also saw hope and resilience in both the Haitian people and the UN employees working tirelessly on their behalf.

At a food distribution site, United Nations staff from a number of different agencies handed out food rations designed specifically for women and children. Malnutrition is a serious problem, and I met Haitian college students who have been trained by the UN to identify malnourished children and get them help. I also visited a UN Development Program "cash for work" project that hired displaced Haitians to clear rubble so emergency crews can access hard to reach areas. This program is not only essential for the physical rehabilitation of Haiti, but I saw, first hand, how it gave people affected by the earthquake the dignity that comes with having a steady job. This program is a first step toward rebuilding a shattered economy.

At the center of the rebuilding effort is the United Nations. Haiti earthquake relief is by far the largest and most complex response to a natural disaster in the history of the organization. Yet UN agencies, the U.S. Government, Non Government Organizations and peacekeepers from over 25 countries are working in a unified effort to build Haiti back, stronger. The task is as immense as it is urgent.

Millions of Americans tuned in to American Idol on February 25 to see Kris Allen discuss his experience on the ground. Travelling with Kris, I was able to hear his questions about the UN and the long-term implications of a natural disaster of this magnitude. Hearing about the many organizations that were working day and night to help Haiti, he immediately asked about how he could help. I admire his willingness to dedicate the proceeds of a live performance and a song to help the efforts on the ground. It was a powerful reminder of how quickly people turn awareness of global issues into action.

This is just one example of the global outpouring of support for Haiti we have witnessed in the past few weeks. But now, with the rainy season approaching, Haiti needs our help more than ever. The UN?s immediate goal is to move Haitians from living day-to-day, as they are now, to living month-to-month. When people no longer have to worry about their day-to-day survival, they can focus on the longer term healing and rebuilding that is required for Haiti's long-term development.

This is the UN's task in Haiti. Our task is to help them deliver. They deserve our support so we can turn awareness and information into action and results.

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