Oh, Haiti

Wow, what's happened in Haiti is a genuine catastrophe. You'd be hard pressed to find a city with a poorer infrastructure that Mother Nature could simply wipe out so easily. The tragic result of this 7.0 earthquake seems immeasurable, not just because we have little idea what's going on in Port-au-Prince right now, but because the damage is so extensive.

In an age of extreme communication, with Skype, GPS, Twitter and cell phones, it's always surprising to realize how truly limited we are to the space in which we stand. Destructive world events make us realize how very far we actually are from each other and how much we rely on technology to connect us. Situations like this just point to how absolutely isolated we all are, tied to the present moment and present time.

I think the need to think about the way of life in impoverished countries is apparent, too. Haitians have long struggled with poverty, government corruption, coups, deforestation and so many other extreme conditions. Maybe this will shed a bit of light on the already terrible conditions in Port-au-Prince? The truth is, it's kind of too late, just like in New Orleans. I'm not going to get into a rant on race, Haitian history and the effect it had on the present situation, nor can I speculate on the results. I just want to express my sadness.

For up to date information on humanitarian relief, firsthand accounts and the international reaction to this disaster, check here.

To all of my Haitian friends and my Haitian cousins, I hope your loved ones are alive and well. If you are a Haitian-American looking for your loved ones, contact the State Department at 888-407-4747.

Read more here about those looking for relatives.