Helping the hurting

Along with the rest of the world, southwest coast residents watched the events in Haiti unfold last week on their television and computer screens and read about it in their newspapers.

The scope of the devastation in that country is something that few people who call this part of the world home can easily imagine. Cathy Whitehead's experience in Haiti some 15 years ago gives her a better understanding than most of what a natural disaster can do to a country and a population that has almost nothing to begin with.

During times of disaster, much of the world seems to come together to help. Within days, Canadians were on their way to Haiti with much-needed supplies and personnel. China, the United States and many others were on their way as well.

Organizations like the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders were already on the ground doing what they could to help the survivors.

Recovery will not be easy. Rebuilding the country will take time and a lot of money.

Canadians are often among the first to take out their wallets and ask how they can help.

One of the saddest parts of the whole tragedy is that there are people who are more than willing to take advantage of it, and the people who are trying to help, for their own gain.

Even before Canadian banks were set up to start accepting donations on behalf of well-known aid organizations like the Red Cross, the scam artists were at work setting up their own websites and toll-free numbers. While the news still contained images of buildings on fire and bodies being found in the rubble, legitimate aid agencies were warning people to be careful who they give to.

An unsuspecting giver could easily find their hard-earned money going to a criminal instead of going to help the people in Haiti.

The best advice seems to be if you're going to give, give to an organization you know and trust.

editor@gulfnews.ca