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Generations are often defined by, more than anything else, the national and global tragedies they endure — the events that reach across barriers and boundaries and unite a vast amount of people.

Although we’ve been alive for a comparatively short time, we have already seen several catastrophes, wars and natural disasters that have left deep marks in our collective memory. One such disaster is the recent magnitude 7.0 earthquaker in Haiti, which, Haitian officials reported Monday, has killed more than 150,000 people and left 1.2 million homeless.

The disaster is, without question, a tragedy of historic proportions, but there is potential for good to come out of it. The nation of Haiti was struggling long before the earthquake hit, and with the support of most of the world now behind them, it could become a new beginning for the proud people.

However, if the global community is to stand together in the relief effort, comments like those made recently by French and Italian officials must be avoided. The officials criticized the United States for seeking publicity more than contributing aid, bringing too many troops and not contributing enough — a strange claim considering the U.S. government alone has contributed far more in terms of money and materials than any other nation.

The United States is not perfect, and Hurricane Katrina’s devastation of New Orleans in 2005 showed how badly our government can botch a relief effort, even on our own soil. But the contributions from American public and private sectors have been heartfelt, generous and substantial.

Greater order and leadership in the relief effort is needed, but naysaying will only sour the good will of global powers, which Haiti will sorely need as media coverage of and private support for the relief effort wanes in the coming year.

• Disaster in Haiti: UMaine student speaks on devastation in his homeland (January 21, 2010)
• Brief: Greeks help Haiti (January 21, 2010)
• Brief: UMaine seismometer registers Haiti quake (January 21, 2010)
• Column: Duke, Clemson come together for Haiti (January 24, 2010)
• Verve raises cash to benefit Haitians (January 24, 2010)

This entry was posted on Thursday, January 28th, 2010, 12:32 am. You can follow any responses to this article through the RSS feed.