Drew TewksburyIn wake of Tuesday's devastating earthquake in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, the media, government, and even the Red Cross face serious challenges obtaining accurate information on the ground. Yet amid the terrible destruction, singer Richard A. Morse, from Port-au-Prince's well-known band RAM, has provided insightful on-the-ground vignettes via Twitter:
People are calm, trying to help each other…others are visiting people to see if they are ok…some are digging bodies out of buildings 16 minutes ago from web
rows of buildings have collapsed..there is no sign of official help anywhere in this area 20 minutes ago from web
there is no police presence..there is no UN presence in the Carrefour Feuilles area..people are trying to take care of themselves 21 minutes ago from web
the Carrefour Feuilles area is destroyed..government buildings:Palace Justice, Palace, DGI are destroyed 22 minutes ago from web
Morse owns the Hotel Oloffson, a quirky late 19th Century inn, once home to Haiti's president, a vacation spot for Mick Jagger and Jackie O, and the setting for Graham Greene's novel set in Haiti, “The Comedians.” (When I visited in 2001, the Oloffson felt like the raucous party scene on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland). RAM is the Oloffson's house band, where Morse and his wife Lunise, have performed regularly most Thursday nights, regardless of political upheaval or national crisis. RAM's songs rallied against political corruption in Haiti and they were often persecuted (and jailed) for their willingness to speak out. Now as the country is in shambles, Morse is again the voice for Haiti.
RAM performances, and aid donation information after the jump:
Everyone ok at the Hotel Oloffson. Jan. 13 2010 – Richard Morse; Credit: Richard A. Morse
Instead of a latte, today help by donating to:
United Nations Foundation Emergency Fund
To reach friends and relatives in Haiti call the State Department at 888-407-4747.
UPDATE: Pat Robertson blames the devil for Haiti's earthquake: “[The people of Haiti] got together and swore a pact to the devil.”
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