Post edited 12:00 am – 16th January 10 by Me.

Both Michael and I are very aware of earthquakes, they are regular visitors to this country. Fortunately most of our buildings are shake proofed with strict building codes to help protect the occupier. Occasionally we get a big one, but generally the damage is light when compared to what we have all seen in the past 48 hours in Haiti.

The death toll is already horrendous and still climbing, the damage is unbelievable; the chaos defies logic, the fact aid simply cannot be got into the country because the airport is incapable of handling the traffic is heart breaking. The sight of bodies being picked up by front end loaders and then dumped into trucks for transport to a hastily dug mass grave was a sight that will take a long time to come to terms with, although it was totally necessary for disease prevention. How or when the relatives of the dead will ever come to terms and cope with such a sight is beyond me. Then there is the sight of the injured, many left lying on the pavement. There is no room at the hospital for the huge number of casualties, and by far the greater part of the hospital was brought down by the quake anyway. Doctors and nurses are few and far between, women and children must make do as best they can, for many death will be a blessing, as there is no relief for the pain they are suffering.

As New Zealand is familiar with quakes, it was heart warming to see how quickly the aid agencies swung into action. As is usual, the average Kiwi was quick to put their hands in pockets and in short order well over half a million dollars had been raised to help the homeless, the injured, and to get aid to where it's most needed. I am confident all countries will have acted likewise, and sent help at a time when it was needed quickly, and never more urgently.

However, reflecting on those dreadful scenes, I can understand why our country has so many warnings in place. We are constantly given recommendations that people need to have a life preserving emergency pack put away just in case it's ever needed. A battery driven radio, a first aid kit and candles. Then there is the requirement of water, and information where to find some in event an emergency: the toilet system holds a couple of gallons, which is a good starter. Then there is the necessity for tinned food and if possible a small gas cooker, plus spare gas cylinders, to heat the tucker. We have all these items on hand but of course always hoping to God they are never needed to be put into use.

The images on the tv screens are horrendous.  The UK too has dug deep into its' pockets – and funds are still pouring in.  They will have to look at air-drops to get the Aid in there.  Haiti has had a disturbing political history and so never became part of the tourist trade, which is probably one of the reasons why there has been so little outside influence in this sad and poverty-stricken little country.  Who know what each one of us, as individuals, would do if such a disaster were to strike us.  My hope is that equality and fraternity would arise, but I am a dreamer

The situation there is a living nightmare.