Res. No. 96
Resolution calling upon the federal government to partner with the Haitian community on Haiti relief efforts in response to the January 12, 2010 earthquake.
By Council Members Eugene, Dickens, Dromm, Fidler, Jackson, Koslowitz, Nelson, Palma, Williams and Rodriguez
Whereas, On January 12, 2010, Haiti was devastated by an earthquake with a 7.0 magnitude on the Richter scale, significantly damaging the densely populated capital of Port-au-Prince and the surrounding areas; and
Whereas, The immediate aftermath of the earthquake left approximately 230,000 people dead, more than 300,000 people injured and in need of medical assistance, and more than one million people without adequate shelter, access to potable water or food; and
Whereas, Haiti will need a long-term rebuilding plan that requires ongoing humanitarian aid from the United States and other nations across the world; and
Whereas, Haitians and Haitian-Americans living in the United States contribute a large part of the more than one billion dollars in remittances sent to Haiti from around the world; and
Whereas, According to the United States Census Bureau, there are nearly 800,000 Haitians living in the United States and New York City is home to the second largest Haitian population in the nation; and
Whereas, The Haitian community in New York City is made up of professionals and other individuals who may be qualified to assist in Haiti's recovery and rebuilding efforts and who have expressed a strong interest in contributing their skills to help rebuild Haiti; and
Whereas, Following the earthquake in Haiti, New America Media (NAM), an ethnic media group representing more than 2000 ethnic news organizations, sponsored a national poll on the impact of the earthquake on the Haitian community in the United States; and
Whereas, The NAM poll found that 59% of Haitians living in the United States lost "loved ones" to the earthquake and 62% would be willing to take in a Haitian orphan through adoption or foster care procedures in order to alleviate stress on the Haitian government; and
Whereas, Although Haitians living in the United States, in particular in New York City, are eager to support Haiti in its rebuilding efforts, they do not know what relief efforts to organize and participate in; and
Whereas, On March 10, 2010, President Obama pledged to continue to provide aid and assistance to Haiti as it tries to recover from the devastating January earthquake; and
Whereas, With the many nongovernmental organizations and uniformed Armed forces pulling out of Haiti, the federal government should call on Haitians living in the United States to continue to provide aid and assistance; and
Whereas, In order to ensure full recovery, Haiti may benefit from a large number of volunteers, with diverse backgrounds, who can take part in the rebuilding process, offering expertise in a variety of areas, which could include emergency medical care, construction, civil engineering, and urban planning; and
Whereas, The Haitian community in New York City is deeply affected by this tragedy and wishes to take a leading role in Haiti's disaster relief and ongoing rebuilding efforts; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the federal government to partner with the Haitian community on Haiti relief efforts in response to the January 12, 2010 earthquake.
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LS #618
JEB
3/17/10