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Issue date: 3/1/10 Section: News

"The Doctors" recently left the set of their show to head for Haiti for medical work.

Haiti occupies an area comparative to the size of Maryland. Virtually all of the 8.7 million residents are of African descent and speak French and Creole. Haiti is, within a significant margin, the most poverty-stricken country in the Western Hemisphere. Four out of five people live in abject poverty. Years of overfarming and deforestation have left much of Haiti's land, once productive, now eroded, desolate and barren. This has subsequently caused food prices to soar.

The recent earthquakes to hit the region were the worst Haiti had undergone in more than 200 years. Haiti's envoy to the United States said the cost of the damages could run into billions. Many are "homeless" and now dwell in tents. Nonetheless, the overwhelming need for help continues to exceed the availability of goods and services to those who continue to suffer in the aftermath of this cataclysm.

For days following the aftershock of the catastrophic quake, rescue workers struggled to clear bodies from the streets. Government officials said the death toll from the 7.0 magnitude earthquake might exceed 150,000 casualties, notwithstanding the individuals who have sustained massive injuries.

The insurmountable obstacles Haiti faces includes such immediate health threats as respiratory diseases from inhaling dust particles from the dilapidated buildings and diarrhea from contaminated drinking water. Dysentery and cholera are expected to spread at alarming rates.

Chris Martin of the band "Coldplay" stated, "It's a country of extreme poverty and brutal living conditions … the earthquake that has struck Haiti will have turned the city into an unimaginable hell." John Travolta and wife Kelly Preston supported the mission to assist Haiti by arranging a plane to take supplies and medics. John Travolta stated, "I hope that inspires others as well."

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt collectively donated $1 million to Doctors Without Borders. Pitt said, "We understand the first response is critical to serve the immediate needs of countless people who are now displaced from their homes, are suffering trauma, and most require urgent care."

Sandra Bullock made a $1 million donation toward the Doctors Without Borders emergency operations in Port-Au-Prince. Bullock remarked, "I wanted to ensure that my donation would be used immediately to meet the needs of the Haitian people affected by this catastrophic event."

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