There are lessons to be learned from the earthquake in Haiti. As the earthquake response effort continues we see heroic efforts by individuals, organizations and governments to increase the survival rate and feed and care for the injured and displaced. There are few places on earth that could have been hit harder by a quake. Haiti has been on life support for a long time and what little political, social or physical infrastructure it once had lies in rubble and dust. The human loss is staggering. Hurricane Katrina was the third largest natural disaster in the U.S. in terms of death toll, after the Galveston hurricane of 1900 and the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Total deaths for these three disasters might top 20,000, which is barely 10 percent of the possible Haiti quake toll of an estimated 200,000 souls lost. Could destruction of that enormity happen here? If the magnitude 9.2 quake that hit Anchorage in 1964 hit Seattle, San Francisco or LA, it just might. The fact of the matter is, a massive natural disaster can happen here. How prepared are we physically, emotionally and spiritually to deal with that possibility? 

 

In a disaster, perhaps almost any disaster, there are some people who will do anything to survive, and some who will do anything to help others survive. In our culture, we bemoan the behavior of the first and are inspired by and cheer for the latter. There is a third group that is just in shock and unable to respond physically, emotionally or spiritually. Which of those groups each of us wind up in may be unknown until the disaster happens. But does that have to be the case?  I believe we can choose to influence the outcome beforehand. To make that choice we need to ask questions about which group we want to fit in if circumstances allow, and how can we prepare ourselves. Essentially, what does your survival kit look like? What is in it? Various government organizations publish thorough and well thought out emergency preparedness lists. While these lists address our physical needs in the event of a disaster, we also need more than food, water and sutures to survive.

 

We need something in our survival kits for the mental, emotional and spiritual stresses as well. And mind you, the survival kit has to be prepared and ready to go prior to a catastrophe. Mental preparedness is not only about having checklists and adequate supplies, it is also about understanding the risks and vulnerabilities of the various natural and man-made hazards we have in our area. Typically in Whatcom County we think of flooding, severe weather, earthquakes, and pipeline explosions. These hazards have been part of our experience. But mental preparation requires a broader range of awareness. It also requires actively reviewing our preparations and planning on a regular basis; it is hard to stay mentally and physically prepared for less-likely big disasters. As with earthquakes, a disaster might not even happen in our lifetimes. So we have a hard time making the mental and physical effort to prepare. 

What do we need to do in the way of emotional preparation? The biggest emotional stress for most of us is probably the safety and whereabouts of family members. Once again, preparation has to occur before the event. Making sure our family members know what the emergency plan is and how to respond is a big step toward preventing the emotional impact of a disaster from becoming overwhelming. Everyone in our circle needs to know what to do when separated (at school or at work are the most likely scenarios). Teaching our kids and family members where to go, who to seek help from, and how to handle interrupted communications can be critical. Understand the disaster plans of the schools. What will the schools do in a disaster? Essentially, be mindful. Establish a personal plan for handling your emotions by thinking through scenarios and setting intentions. Develop answers to the questions: “If I am not injured, what will I do? Who will I be caring for? Besides my family, will I be helping co-workers, neighbors, or perhaps strangers?” 

 

Spiritual preparation is also paramount. In the event of a disaster, will we have included compassion, non-judgment and forgiveness in our survival kit? Spiritual items for the kit, like the other items, have to be added in advance and on a regular basis. In the moments of a crisis and afterward, will we choose to serve others or not? Will we be prepared?

 

Beyond the immediate heartbreak of the Haiti earthquake is the Herculean task of reviving a country destroyed. The spark to ignite that revival will have to come from the Haitians themselves. Others, countries and people from around the world, will need to be supportive and do a lot of heavy lifting for some time. It is certainly within the American character to do what is necessary to help. But old patterns of thinking need to be broken and new levels of consciousness evolved. The next Haiti will not and cannot be a replay of the past. The Haitian people will need to find and develop a self resiliency at the same time they are being helped. Otherwise, the oppression that dominated that land will return. Haiti, our prayers and assistance are with you. God speed.