United States not alone in helping Haiti

Miguel Lugo, Las Vegas

Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2010 | 2:05 a.m.

I am from the Dominican Republic, but I have been an American since I came to this country as a young boy. Although I am very proud of the work the United States is doing to help the relief efforts in Haiti, I have been very disappointed in seeing how the U.S. media are portraying the relief efforts, by making it look as if the United States is the only country providing assistance. Countries all around the world have responded to the call.

For example, from the Dominican Republican alone, based on online accounts from the news media there, Dominican President Leonel Fernandez was the first national leader to visit Haiti after the earthquake and met with Haitian President Rene Preval to agree on an “immediate response” plan. The Dominican Republic immediately sent in 49 rescue workers, including heavy equipment for removing the rubble.

Dominican airports were put at every country’s disposal. Collection centers were established for food, medicine and clothing to be sent to Haiti. The Dominican Telecommunications Institute and the State Electricity Corporation are working to restore communications and energy in Haiti. A vaccination campaign is being conducted by the Dominican Ministry of Public Health, as a way of preventing epidemics.

The point is that this has been a global response, and more effort should be made to acknowledge that. The United States is a country made up of immigrants from all around the world, and they would like to be informed of what things each of their particular countries are doing to help Haiti.