Just got this in, don't know if it was mentioned here yet, but this illustrates how the Watchtower views/responds to emergencies. Note the dig on university and "higher education" (especially sad for a poor country like Haiti with poorly educated masses).
Randy
Haiti Disaster :
Report from Coordinator of the Haiti Branch Committee
(17th January 2010)
Hello! The following is what I wrote yesterday. I am
losing track of the days! Just been informed that over a 100 of our
brothers have died as a result of the quake and no doubt it will rise as
time goes by--today is really the last day to get anyone out alive. The
branch prepared 700 bags providing basics for 2800 meals. Seriously
injured are being transported to a border town hospital--Jimini and
already they are full so are being transported to Barahona--about 50 miles
from the Haitian border.
I know one person had a broken back, another a broken hip, etc. Awful!
Thank you for your loving concern n prayers! We are about 75 at the branch
right now. Everyone is FINE! Busy as bees preparing food n clothing, etc
for the many brothers that are homeless, n injured n in a bad state!. We
have had reports of brothers slightly injured, seriously injured,
dead and missing in the heavily populated areas of PAP (Porte au Prince).
PAP as you may have seen on CNN is reduced to dust and ruins. Our
immediate area in Cr-de-Bouquet seems to have weathered it pretty well.
Have had no reports of death in our neighbourhood--I haven't seen any
houses in dust on the ground--a few fences have fallen--but is about all
on our street. However, on the road to Cr-d-Bouquets--a new building that
was 3 stories high is now zero stories high. When the earthquake hit--I
was in the laundry throwing in clothes in a washer--when a deafening roar
surrounded us--then the floor literally heaved like waves n the washing
machines swayed to the right n left--at first the whole bldg swayed n with
us grasping things to stand upright n run--3 of us were there n I screamed
for them to run out n stand in the doorways--than when it stopped
moving--which seemed forever--we ran out on the grass in the
courtyard--the sister standing next to me was shaking like a leaf--I just
hung to her for awhile till she stopped. Terrifying!! John was in the
office--thrown to the floor spread eagle and couldn't get up--crawled up
to the doorway n managed to get up n hang on--as did Robin n Daniel. Some
lighter moments too--Eveyln Thibodeau was watering plants n trees down by
the old Kitchen and our watch dog Wally started shaking all over and
become extremely agitated--she was trying to calm him down when it
hit--then all of sudden she saw frantic students streaming out from the
Dormitory--stark naked--as they were showering for supper!
It was a terrifying moment for all! Terrifying is not adequate to describe
the fear--Paul Rozon ran outside the kitchen area in time to see the
entire structure sway to the right n left. Amazingly--the following
day--the bldg was inspected n there were no cracks!! Hurray for Design/Bld
who insisted on all that steel--PAP is in total ruins--haven't been out
but the reports are bad--on Delmas--City Bank reduced to the ground n so
many others. Had reports this morning from all our missionaries n foreign
special pioneers from Guadeloupe/Martinque n they are fine--if not a look
shook up. Wilburns in Leogane had part of their missionary home
destroyed--so they arrived at Bethel last night. Yakibonges n Grooms are
find--about 3 miles from Bethel--Sabrina Y was able to phone home to Italy
this afternoon n reassure her mother (not in the Truth) that they were
fine. Her mother already had time to phone Bethel n the army! At present
we have the 13th MTS school going n those from Carrefour n heavy populated
areas have had deaths either the in the family or cong. Some have not been
accounted for--Br Phillippeaux over in Bon Repos lost his only son--at
university--haven't found the body--so the parents are in deep mourning!
Relief supplies arrived from DR this morning n by 2 p.m. trucks were ready
to make deliveries to Pouplard and Delmas Nord.
We suspect not a few of our young brothers and sisters attending
universities may have died when those buildings crashed to the grounds
with everyone in them. One nice experience--one sister was scheduled to
attend a lecture on pyschology and she decided she did not want to hear
that stuff. As soon as she got outside the entire structure collapsed
before her eyes! Visible proof where 'higher learning' takes you--right
into the ground!! Now if any want to attend university--they will have to
move to another country--as all their bldgs crashed to the ground!! And
believe me--their parents will work to send them there--that is the god
they have confidence in--Jehovah is a sideline one!
Very sad moments--Robin buried a 14 year old sister last night--she considered him
like her father as her parents are divorced--the sister's only child. He
had to run around n find a casket n she was buried last night. We cannot
even imagine the parents' anguish nor loss. We have had many sessions of
tears--we will be grieving until the New World!! Her mother was a trooper
through it all!! Bottom line is Haiti is FINISHED--received its final
death knell--this literally killed the country. However, our brotherhood
is as strong as ever--had 3 deliveries already from the DR Branch--they
sent us a doctor n a emergency clinic has been set up in the class room
behind the assembly hall. Jehovah really does take care of us!! Monday we
had propane and diesel deliveries--without the usual paper transaction,
cheques n requisitions, etc. (which they usually adamantly
demand!--providing Bethel with a month's suppy. Also, we had a 40'
container come in with lit on Monday n it was quite a challenge for the
driver to manoeuvre that load in our little driveway--we suddenly realize
our little Bethel is growing into a major affair! Tuesday afternoon John
had me taking pictures on the marks on the lawn where the truck last week
had to go up over the curbs n lawn to drive out of the yard. Said to do
the same thing on the following day as that is when it was scheduled to be
picked up. About an hour later the truck showed up n he drove the trailer
out of the yard around 3:30 pm. At 5 p.m two hours later--the earthquake
hit n had that container been here it most like would have caused major
damage n turned over, etc. Most of the family n students n volunteers
spent the nite camped out on that driveway. Happily for us it didn't
rain!! We have our Construction Overseer from Brkln here along with his
wife--Charles n Jennifer Snyder--plus great const workers--from
Canada--Rozons, Bellerives (Lisa n Sylvain) Thibodeeault's, etc. We have
all the PRACTICAL people on hand! Some 'accident'why they are here at such
a critical moment--why we know Jehovah n his angels are running this
work!!
Another light moment. One Canadian couple arrived from
Canada--International Volunteers--a tile layer as we are presently doing
renos in the old residence. After Terrie West showed him the their room in
the new Extension they were enthralled. Brother said it was the best
accommodations they have ever had doing IV work. About two minutes
later--the whole flippin' bldg was shaken to n fro--as the earthquake hit.
Nonetheless, undetered--said they were happy to here n help out! Only
Jehovah's people respond like this! Afterwards--I was so keyed up--I
worked till 2 a.m. n then crashed in our bed--at that point was so
exhausted didn't care about anything--said if I'm gonna die--gonna do it
comfortably it our own bed. Earlier John tried to convince me to sleep
upstairs then his office--but I refused. He slept in the office. But
Charles Snyder reassured me that the bldg was safe n could certainly
withstand any aftershocks--which by the way we are still experiencing n
are still nerve wracking!! So that is about it folks! As soon as possible
shall fire some photos off to you!! Telephones are off n on--we have an
Internet service--so that is wonderful as don't think we would be able to
communicate otherwise.
Warmest love n hugs to you all.
John n Inez
PS this evening 3 more doctors arrived DR--I do believe quite a number of
brothers have died or are 'missing' from Carrefour--a very densely
populated part of PAP--sadly--many young ones at schools or and
universities!
I'll post the Watchtower's official stance on disaster relief next, thanks to Atlantis.
