As we've all noticed, aid has been flowing to Haiti. People from all over the world have been coming here all week, starting all kinds of efforts, posing for the cameras and leaving. I am eternally grateful to those who have saved lives and they are not the object of my attention. I’m talking about the focus on International workers. Everywhere in the news we see pictures and people in the headlines that are not Haitians. They’re not all dead, they often pick up where the aid workers left to finish the job that they started before. This one is for all my Haitians. Those who traveled from other countries, too black, too dirty, not pretty enough for the cameras. Your sacrifice will not be ignored. You are the ones who spontaneously, even though you had lost everything, still wanted to help others in danger of loosing their lives. This is for those still digging the Caribbean market site, those still clearing the rubble, those who lift concrete ceilings from the floor by hand. Those who translate so you aliens can make some sense of all this. Risking your lives to take down what's left of some buildings, all who are volunteering to help with the injured, our doctors, our engineers, evaluating damage, we're here, this is our country and, yes, we have lost many of our brothers, but we're the only ones who know that Haitians don't abide by general rules, including survival delays. People are still alive under the rubble. Keep digging.
 
Much money has been coming in. Food and water are also being channeled to Haiti in large quantities. Many people are now trying to find new ways to contribute. Now that we're past the emotions of the first days, one must wonder what is going to happen to all that wasn't completely destroyed. Many large buildings are severely damaged and still standing. How do we tear them down? I’ve never seen controlled demolition anywhere in Haiti. There are no demolition teams here. Everybody’s here to rescue, but we need demolition experts fast. The work has already started in some areas. Daredevils climb on top of what is left and take it down block by block with a hammer and chisel. The Haitian way.

After a week and some time (most of us tend to loose track of it), Port-au-prince slowly wakes up from its horror trip. By order of necessity, businesses, informal first, then formal, are resetting up shop. There were many crowds in various places around the city. The message got around that banks and transfer offices were open. The police and minustah were trying hard to maintain some order. Even the drive through banks had to accommodate large numbers of vehicles. Of course, the amount each person could withdraw was limited, only adding to the pressure. Many armored trucks were unloading their stash under heavy security around the city. Gas trucks were also busy around the city, delivering much needed supplies to the stations. Lines are much shorter, and in some cases, one doesn't even have to wait in one.
 
There was some comfort in realizing that the destruction of Port-au-Prince was not total. It was nonetheless severe. Many structures were left standing. Some engineers say the structures that crumbled were mainly weak in their foundations, which is one of the main defects of a lot of constructions in Haiti. Because they are built gradually, as the business they house grows, adding floor after floor on the weak foundation, there was no way they could have survived this. Deeper, better foundations would have the structure shaking as a whole with the earth. Since they are weak, they crumble quickly, leaving the top floors in many cases intact. His point was that the devastation was not so much a cause of the earthquake as the weakness of many structures.
 
Help signs are being raised in various parts around the city. "We need help" seems to be the preferred message. Sometimes its accompanied with the Spanish translation "necesitamos ayuda", and/or the words food, water, medicine, scribbled with paint on a piece of plywood or a bed sheet hung across the gate.
 
The informal sector seems to be back on track. The street markets are full of merchants selling all sorts of merchandise. They are selling the last supplies. There aren't many ways to import much.  One wonders what will happen when this stock is sold. Problem is many food store owners are getting rid of whatever inventory they have left to leave the country. What will happen when they are gone? There is not nearly enough aid for all the survivors of this catastrophe.
 
The government structures were heavily hit. Most, if not all administration buildings are destroyed. In Haitian administration, lots of people leave early. Those who work the hardest stay late. Given the time of the earthquake, too many of our important administration officials have died, doing what they do best. Those who could replace them have fled to other countries.
 
The smell of death radiates from various parts of the city, a constant reminder that many lost their lives in this tragedy. Rescue teams have not given up hope. Yesterday, an 84-year-old lady was pulled from the ruble. In contrast, one told us that they are loosing chances of finding any survivors. It’s more about cleaning up now, and finding closure for some families. Traffic is heavy around the city. Drivers and passengers are a mix of doctors and gangsters, characterized by the masks they all wear. Some areas are left out, like the Julian Crain School of commerce. Which is slowly poisoning the area with its rotting occupants.
 
Dwindling structures are being taken down by hand, with hammers. The very dangerous Haitian way...
 
Evidently, much of the population is displaced. People are living with friends, relatives. New living habits are forming. Beds and quilts pop out all around the city streets when the sun comes down. “We sleep outside now”. Even if the house behind them is intact. Those without a front yard or a safe sidewalk end up on public places and in parking lots, under tents and tarps. Trashing the place like only we know how. These areas have very difficult living conditions, even though many times a day, different help organizations start a frenzy with the various things they distribute under heavy minustah security. These are like little cities within the city. Haitians have lost faith in nature. They now fear it. No one wants to be inside a concrete structure.
 
Welcome to Haiti, the new Port-au-prince, where anything is possible after we clean this mess up. Get in line people. And much love to you all.

Olivier Prosper.

Emotions. They make us human. They keep us grounded, make us happy, weary in many cases. All these we're used to, but when it comes to situations like this, they can crush you.

How do you deal with it. How do you cope with so much information rushing in at once. How do you make it real to you that life as you know it will never be the same.  How do you start feeling better when your school shatters into pebbles blowing you out of the way, and the city you grew up in is turned into rubble. Then all your friends start leaving. Without you having the chance to even say goodbye properly. At the same time, the horror stories from a city left to rot with it's dead come in gradually. You hear of thousands of bodies dumped in giant trenches, filling up the area that was chosen, leaving the macabre convoy without a destination. Children being sold into god knows what type of activity.

Now is the time for human warmth. it is the time to talk to those around you. Say what's bothering you. Its not your fault. Tell someone you feel bad. you have the advantage we are all going through the same situation. This means we can absorb the shocks together. talk about it on the spot. learn about things gradually. For example, when you learn of a difficult situation, sharing the story with someone close to you can help, we are at a moment where shock phases are past. People are waking up, slowly realizing what happened. It's hitting us, as the dust settles and our emotions start to surface. Many will cry. Don't fight it. It only means you're still human, you know this is wrong. you understand it's real and most of all, you feel powerless. Like no matter how hard you try you cannot change the fact that the digging has stopped at Caribbean, leaving people you know are still alive to die slowly, knowing they have supplies, and they'll just wait for help that won't come.

This is the phase where we integrate these events to our reality. because everybody is affected and the world is concerned, people who had never really been open to their surroundings, or the feelings of others start to care, and discover how people in necessity will do anything to survive. At this point, one can feel helpless because the government doesn't care, the americans want control, haitians are selling their children while foreign countries are trying to describe all kinds of conspiracy theories, news media preying on our misery. It's very hard to find the good in all this. One might even be convinced everyone is evil. wrong idea. These things were going on before you started caring. Earthquakes have happened. None of the above mentioned entities are responsible. It's about being human, and greedy, and the primary survival instinct that drives us to do and think unspeakable things.

One of the most important things to understand is that such events changes us in a flash. everything we know is gone in 35 seconds. We are forced to evolve instantly. Yet Man is a being of Habits. He has to adjust. Most the changes in one's life are gradual. This means we absorb things gradually. When they come in at once we feel overwhelmed, and break down, wether in rage or in tears. Please,  do not cut yourself off from everything that is going on around you. There are many opportunities to help. You don't have to. Many doctors are already onsite, many rescue teams have come in. But they are facing a dramatic lack of supplies. Don't feel bad for not doing so. If you stay shielded, everything is going to keep happening, and you just going to have to take it in all at once. Stay strong, and let everyday carry its load.


Olivier Prosper.

Out again. This time we went to the airport area. The Canadians are in town. soldiers are walking around different areas of the city. we've also spotted many small passenger airplanes, helicopters and Canadian army cargo planes flying around the airport. We also saw a helicopter labeled "NAVY". Air traffic is busy on the jacmel airstrip.

We had to meet with SOS ENFANTS in cyvadier plage. They had promised us a couple of supplies for the hospital. The cardboard boxes contained toothbrushes, baby oil, powder, soap, band aids, pads, amongst other first aid and personal care supplies. Without delay, we went to the hospital where we delivered the supplies. The situation is the same. People are being treated outside, under tarps, with limited or in many cases, no supplies. Onsite, we met a couple of doctors from the united states who wanted a ride to the airport area. while chatting with them we learned that even though they were trying hard to help, they were facing a tremendous lack of supplies. They also told us that most of the injuries they had to deal with were orthopedic and flesh wounds.

Driving around Jacmel, we realized that many of the houses were marked with different tones of spray paint. They had been identified as weak buildings, and the government was asking people to destroy them. Soon, they will start taking them down, as we've seen loaders in different parts of the city. One small step on the long road to reconstruction.

Your donations will be used to coordinate our logistic efforts to channel aid from point a to point b. As it is difficult to get aid here by road, and the airport is controlled by international instances, the best way to help is through financial aid.

Goods can come in, and when they do, we need help to get it to different points around the city. For example we are receiving clothings, toothpaste, crutches, can goods. Water. Hydrogen Peroxides. Alcohol. Needles. and need to rent trucks and pay for transportation to refugee camps and needed areas.

This is where your contributions make it happen. For instance, thanks to your help, we were able to bring much needed supplies to the hospital St Michel. We captured the images that keep you posted on the situation thank you.

We could have never done any of this without you. Many have carried the torch forward before you. Their names are available on the left column of our website.

ACET , Inc. has received an immediate request to provide assistance to the devastation from the recent earthquake that has befallen the nation of  Haiti . We are looking for anyone interested in going to  Haiti to help for a 3- 6 month period.  There are no particular skills sets defined at this point, except the willingness to help wherever needed. We will be presenting folks and highlighting their unique skills and trade qualifications, so if the opportunity to help in your area exists - it will be noted and presented. As you can well imagine, any skill that you may have - can be of great help.

THIS IS NOT A VOLUNTEER REQUEST - you will be paid for the work you do. This is a temporary employment assignment that will include travel, expenses, remuneration with an understanding that housing accommodations will be very basic.  All that is needed at this point is a passport or ability to obtain one ASAP.

If you are seriously interested or know of someone who would be interested - please email me back ASAP or forward this email,  and I will provide more details for you at that time.

This is a unique opportunity to make a difference to the people of  Haiti !

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Darkness...

After a couple of days of clearing rubble and counting the dead, the people from Jacmel are facing a whole new set of difficulties. Water resources are dwindling, so is food. Prices are already rising on the little bit that is left. For example, we've heard that water bags were selling for 20 gourdes instead of one. Rice is already five times as much. Gas prices are also on the rise. A gallon of gas is now worth 750 gourdes. 

Back to base, we uploaded our pictures, video, and sound. We’ve been contacted by many people asking what they can do to help and how, so here's an idea of different ways you can help with what is happening, and an overview of the aid situation.

Most of Haiti’s banks are destroyed, so it is difficult to gather funds for the moment, but we've heard that some agencies like cam or western union would be open by Monday. We will be monitoring them and providing an update as soon as possible.

This is the current situation, but there are a lot of things you can do to help. Financial help is better in a sense that even medical supplies have trouble getting through. Security is also an issue. Therefore, it is more efficient to send money.  Here’s how.

One could send money through Paypal. Click the Paypal button on this page for a link to the account.

We will keep you posted on the transfer situation. We are currently monitoring the available agencies in the area and will inform as soon as one opens. Here is the information for the transfer:

The Banking system is down. That's why we cannot use the foundation's account. A donation will be made in your name to the foundation which will deliver a receipt.

As far as goods are concerned, It very difficult to get anything to Haiti.

The best way seems to be through the Dominican Republic. We are currently trying to set up a maritime route through the Dominican Republic in accordance with Jacmel's mayor. We should meet with him shortly.

The roads are being worked on, so soon, it is dangerous to travel to jacmel by road. Keep in mind though, the structure is severely damaged in several places, even though the road would be open, crossing in some cases can be very dangerous. We would advise against it

Seguin and Thiotte, which were alternate roads, are in bad shape. It’s impossible to get through jacmel with a car.

In an article from Le Monde, experts are certifying that haiti's earthquake although shocking is not exeptional. Pascal Bernard and Jean Pierre Vilotte, who are used to measuring earth's pulse sustain that the amount of damage is due to the country's vulnerability in its constructions and rescue infrastructure.

The magnitude of Haiti's earthquake is not a rare occurence. During the last twenty years, about ten or more events of equal or more magnitude have occured. In places like Lima and Sumatra, magnitudes have reached or exceeded 8. The maximum (9) was even breached when the tsunami hit.

This type of earthquake occurs when continental plates shift under one another. In haiti, just a little piece from the continental rift broke. This means that in a year or ten a bigger earthquake might hit again. This time even closer to port-au-prince.

It is impossible to predict such a catastrophy in short term. On the other side, its possible to predict in medium to long term, judging by the active cracks in the system.

We are not trying to alarm you all. Just quoting the experts on the possibility that another greater quake might hit soon. This is just a warning for the rebuilding efforts. The risk has to be taken in account. Also, there are several alert systems that could be put in place. These could be linked to the cellular phone system, which is one of the best ways to channel information quickly to a large number of people.

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January 21st 6:03 am. The people from Jacmel were shook from their beds this morning by a new earthquake. wether you get the information through yahoo or google, it was a 6.1, or 5.9 magnitude event. This time, the epicenter was a little further west from the capital in a city called Petit Goave. The earth shook for about 15 seconds and the tremors were felt here too. It was the strongest aftershock since the main event on january 12. Many lives and buildings that had been affected by the first quake were taken away for good. In jacmel, for example, many private houses that were left standing crumbled this morning. People who had been traumatized lost their lives to heart attacks.

This only further complicates the situation here. There are many efforts to help but the coordination is making it very difficult to get supplies to those who need it. The foundation has deployed many of its resources to contact people and organizations who could help. Many supplies are on their way, some confirmed for as soon as this morning. 25 000 gallons of drinkable water are already scheduled to arrive on saturday. A plane loaded with medical supplies is waiting in florida. Some help can come through the Dominican Republic, but given the risk, they are asking for compensations. The foundation needs to gather funds to organize logistics to carry the supplies to different areas where they are needed. Gasoline prices are rising, making the necessity for additional funds more present. People are even haggling on the exchange rate where dollars are now worth less.

As mentioned on the site there are many ways you can help. Your contributions are needed more than ever.