Outpouring of support motivated by compassion

If there's anything good that comes from a humanitarian catastrophe on the staggering scale of the Haiti earthquake, it's the reminder of our own common humanity.

The international response-- from the hundreds of millions of dollars in donations from individuals and corporations to the disaster relief provided by different governments -- transcends politics or economics or self-interest.

This unprecedented outpouring of support is motivated by compassion for the people of this ravaged nation. While there are acknowledged logistical problems distributing aid in the ruined capital of Port-au-Prince -- and delays caused by the sheer destruction wrought by the 7.0-richter magnitude quake -- the difficulties do not detract from this compassion.

In fact, the very first country to provide aid -- the neighbouring Dominican Republic -- put aside lingering animosities that dated back to the 19th century to provide clean water, food and heavy equipment to help in rescue efforts.

The government of Qatar, a small Muslim nation bordered by Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf, sent more than 50 tonnes of desperately needed supplies on a C-17, while the Israeli government erected a field hospital near the United Nations building in Port-au-Prince. The government of Iran announced plans to send 30 tonnes of emergency aid, including tents and medicine.

The European Union provided an immediate three-million euros in funding while pledging another 600-million euros in long-term support for emergency aid and reconstruction. The governments of Canada and the U.S. -- the countries that have taken the lead roles in assistance efforts -- have both more than $100 million in financial aid, as well as troops and equipment to help with rescue efforts.

In total, almost 120 of the world's nations have pledged to helping the people of Haiti.

These commitments have been matched by an incredible response from intergovernmental organizations and hundreds of nongovernment agencies like the International Red Cross and the Salvation Army.

In Canada, the Red Cross has already raised $22 million for relief efforts. Locally, Oxford residents were lined up outside of the Woodstock offices of the Red Cross to make donations while local businesses have made their own financial contributions.

With hundreds of thousands feared dead and millions left homeless -- and fears of an unparalleled crisis as supplies begin to dwindle -- much of the world has mobilized and that, given the usual international tensions and willful ignorance, is cause for hope. This common response shows that we are capable of putting aside our differences and working for the betterment of all.

If only we could do it a little more often.


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