Legal Commentary

The Fate of Haiti's Children

By Jeralyn

What will happen to the orphaned, homeless, sick and at-risk children in Haiti, who make up more than half of the country's population? Efforts are underway by Catholic Legal Services in South Florida to bring many here, for adoption, foster care or other placement. This was done for Cuban children in Operation Pedro Pan in the 1960s.

What's needed: Passports, Emergency visas, the granting of refugee status, faster paperwork processing.

We really need to get the injured children to places with adequate surgical and medical facilities.

Related Haiti Developments: [More...]

The earthquake has wiped out jobs and schools and large parts of the government infrastructure. How will the population earn money to live going forward? The window is closing on finding survivors. So many need surgery and medical care that's not yet available due to the shortage of operating space and inability to get the supplies in.

Looting is rising as people run out of patience to wait for food and help to reach them. They are also leaving Port Au Prince, on foot, but where will they go?

The Red Cross now estimates the death toll will be at least 100,000.

Full post as published by TalkLeft on January 16, 2010 (boomark / email).