By Amadi Ajamu
The American Red Cross has collected over $354 million dollars from people in the United States for Haitians after the devastating earthquake rocked the country two months ago.
Haitian people have patiently waited for basic necessities, to no avail. The hurricanes and rainy season is just a month away and time is of essence.
Shelters are needed now. Where is all the money going?
That was the burning question asked by the crowd that converged on the doorstep of the American Red Cross Headquarters on Monday, March 22 led by the Friday Haiti Relief Coalition. The coalition was organized by the December 12th Movement days
after the earthquake and have raised funds and delivered a tractor trailer full of water to Leogane, Haiti. A second trip is being planned now.
“We have been on the ground and we know the people are in need of shelter. The money collected by the Red Cross for Haiti is not getting there. We are tried of the excuses. That's our blood down there and our money. We demand immediate shelters for
our people,” said coalition member, April Raiford.
Red Cross personnel nervously scampered back and forth as the protesters chanted “Stop stealing the money! Where's the money!”
Recent media reports have revealed that the American Red Cross has collected $354 million for Haiti in the past two months, but have accounted for only $106 million.
More protest demonstrations are planned for the American Red Cross. Omowale Clay of the December 12th Movement said: “We will keep organizing and mobilizing our people until the Haitian people get shelter and supplies. The American Red Cross has not been held accountable for the hundreds of millions they have collected in the name of Haiti and we won't let them off the hook. They did the same thing during hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. The money donated to Haiti is for the people in
Haiti, not the Red Cross CEO and executive bureaucrats. Haiti needs shelters now.”
The Friday Haiti Relief Coalition is also has a committee looking into the possibility of a class action lawsuit against the American Red Cross. The Coalition meets every Friday at 6:30 PM at Sistas' Place, 456 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY.
For more information call (718) 398-1766.
Source: BSN
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