Wanting Haiti to fail

I just want to say that I absolutely loved Peta-Anne-Baker's article on Haiti (Sunday Gleaner, January 17). Thank you for highlighting some deep-rooted and systematic problems and concerns that affect Haiti.

It seems to me that the powers that be want Haiti to fail as a result of their will to free themselves from colonialist oppression. Haiti was once the beacon of hope for enslaved nations to rid themselves of Western domination.

In their time of need, we should all give generously, not only because of the tragedy, but for everlasting inspiration to the world that descendants of slaves could be free and live in as an independent state. Thank you Haiti for the dream and thanks Ms Baker for your article.

Help a people in distress

Let us extend a helping hand to the people of Haiti who are hard-pressed and helpless in their native land.

Earthquake ravaged, homes destroyed, missing people or displaced without a place.

Let us give donations in clothes, hard cash, tin foods ... . Let's help Haiti. Give them what you can.

Neville G. Lindo

nevs30@hotmail.com

Toronto

Canada

Jamaica must prepare

While we mourn with our brothers and sisters in Haiti and hope for their speedy recovery, let us be aware that we could suffer a similar fate as Haiti's.

In a recent report coming out of the Institute of Geophysics at the University of Texas, it was suggested that Haiti and its neighbours should prepare for more massive quakes along the length of the fault line of the recent earthquake in Haiti. It was also pointed out that the two major population centres along this fault line are Port-au-Prince and Kingston, Jamaica.

Major disaster coming?

Jamaicans must prepare themselves for a major disaster like that which took place in Haiti. In doing so, we will have to improve our planning and building standards. It will involve moving people who have built houses in very sensitive areas and strengthening the capacity of the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management, both in terms of new legislation and new institutional structures.

We also have to stop the evil effects of corruption and improve the standard of living in the country. The trust is that economically and socially, we are closer to Haiti than to Barbados.

Let us learn from the tragic lessons of Haiti.

David Blake

ambergris12@yahoo.com

Kingston 4