Imagine watching the White House collapse into rubble as an earthquake demolishes most of Washington D.C. Imagine, if you can, hundreds of thousands dead, hospitals destroyed, the survivors searching for their families, and the ‘leader of the free world’ lamenting that he has no place to sleep.

For us, it is an impossible nightmare. In Port-au-Prince, the nightmare is reality.

The United States has squabbled with the Caribbean nation intermittently over two centuries. The conflict was initiated by American concern about the nation’s liberation from the French by Francois-Dominique Toussaint L’ouverture, a freed slave. Though relations had improved considerably over the 20th century, and the United States has long been Haiti’s greatest trade partner, there has always been some tension between the nations, partially because of its notably high level of corruption.

Today is not the day for politics. President Obama, in stark contrast to the humanitarian fumbling of the Bush administration, immediately deployed rescue and aid teams to the shattered Caribbean nation and launched other means of support, such as a toll-free State Department line (888-407-4747) to assist families in locating survivors.

The Internet makes it easier to contribute to humanitarian aid than in almost any previous disaster.

One of the most legitimate and convenient ways to contribute is to donate to the Red Cross in one of two ways: an online form, or by donating $10 from your cell phone bill by texting “HAITI” to “90999″. Several other aid organizations are available; organizers ask that all contributions come through legitimate organizations.

Liverpool has never been able to do so much for the Haitian community. Seize the opportunity – contribute just as you would if the earthquake had struck Washington. This is not just another passing event on the television screen: this is tragedy on an almost incomprehensible scale, and we are, in part, their hope for rebuilding Haiti.

Over the next few days, we will cover the Haitian disaster as it applies to Liverpool, including ways to contribute or volunteer and what other local organizations are doing to help. Letters to the editor are welcomed.

This blog normally does not represent the opinions of The Lifeguard staff or Liverpool High School faculty, but I gladly take the risk of speaking for everyone when I wish Haitian survivors and their families – and any in Liverpool – safety and peace of mind in the difficult days and weeks ahead.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/01/13/help-haiti