Haiti Devastated

The island of Haiti was devastated by the strongest earthquake to hit Haiti in two decades on Tuesday. The capital city of Port-au-Prince was stunned when a 7.0 magnitude quake struck just west of the capital city, which was quickly followed by two aftershocks of 5.9 and 5.5 magnitude.

Haitian President Rene Preval has said thousands of people are feared dead. Fires blaze, while bloodied bodies lay helpless in the street. A choking dust simmers in the air, a result of toppled buildings, one of which, The Presidential Palace. Images of the destruction are hard to view. Videos of people running through the streets, crying and screaming in a heart-wrenching episode of mother nature's wrath. The head of the UN mission in Haiti and his deputy were among more than 100 staff missing and The Red Cross has stated that more than 3,000 000 people are affected.

Born of a slave uprising, Haiti became the world's first black-led republic and the first independent Caribbean state. Adding to a history of slavery and inhumanity, Haiti has seen its share of natural disasters, too many in fact. Haiti was hit by two tropical storms in August and September of 2008 and two hurricanes that left some 800 people dead. With heavy hearts, the world looks on, while Haitians await swift and prompt aid. Many thoughts will remain with those affected by this tragic event.