Haiti

[hobie16]

I'm watching the news and, just like the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, these people are screwed. The major difference is a whole country of millions of people are screwed.

The good old USofA is jumping into the breach with millions in aid and 2,000 Marines. They're gonna need more. If you've got some spare sheckels send them to:

American Red Cross

UNICEF at 1-800-4-UNICEF

[glendalais]

There are resources available for Cast affected by this tragedy. Here's my summary that I posted elsewhere, just in case anyone here is affected or knows someone who has been affected:

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. and Affiliated Companies realises that many Cast Members, particularly at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, have been deeply and personally impacted by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic on 12 January.

As such, the Company has established several measures in order to assist Cast Members in trying to reach their friends and family in the region.

Cast Members may visit any Cast Service Center. They will have all the updated information regarding current conditions in the region. In addition, all Florida-Site Cast Service Centers have temporarily unblocked access to Social Networking websites, specifically MySpace, Facebook and Twitter, through which they can attempt to contact their friends and family in the region. Cast Members are reminded to observe Company guidelines while using these resources.

In addition, Cast Members may use Company telephones to attempt to contact their friends and family in the region. Simply dial '0' from any Backstage Telephone. Disney Guest Communication Services will attempt to route the call, taking into consideration that telelphone connections in the region are very sporadic. Cast Members should try not to do this while on-the-clock.

Cast Members who require assistance falling in the realm of the Company's Life-Work Balance offerings should contact LifeCare, the company's Life-Work Balance vendor. This includes referrals to travel services, relief organisations and money-wiring services. Service is available in Hatian Creole and a wide variety of other languages.

Cast Members who require Benefit-Time Adjustments or other services not included in the Company's Life-Work Balance offerings should contact Human Resources.

Specific numbers for both entities are on The Hub.

During this dire time for many, all Cast are encouraged to share this information with other Cast Members in their areas who might be able to make use of this assistance. Cast Members who require more information, or assistance in Haitian Creole or another language should be directed to The Hub or a Cast Service Center.

[felinefan]

The worst part of this tragedy is that the relief ships are being turned away, because the port structures were severely damaged. Relief planes are having problems with short runways. I've heard on another site as well as on the news that it takes alot of effort and time to get relief to where it's needed on Haiti. The houses that hold up so well to hurricanes collapsed under the quake, trapping people under tons of concrete, which requires specialized equipment to move. Though the weather is fair, the tempetures are high enough to cause disease outbreaks. They say that Haiti hasn't had a major quake in over 200 years, but on the USGS site, I couldn't find one specifically for Haiti, though there was one in the neighboring Dominican Republic that was quite damaging, though it was, I believe, in 1914. Geologists have said that it was just a matter of time when this occurred; Haiti is sitting on a major fault line. The only good thing about this is that fault movement was horizontal, so no tsunami occurred. Had fault movement been vertical, there would've been a major tsunami, which would've added fuel to the fire.

[Shorty82]

You can donate $10.00 to the American Red Cross's Haitian Relief Fund by texting "Haiti" to 90999 on your cell phone. I saw this on the news earlier when on break. I assume it'll be added to your bill.

[delsdad]

There are resources available for Cast affected by this tragedy. Here's my summary that I posted elsewhere, just in case anyone here is affected or knows someone who has been affected:

Walt Disney Parks and Resorts U.S., Inc. and Affiliated Companies realises that many Cast Members, particularly at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, have been deeply and personally impacted by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck the Republic of Haiti and the Dominican Republic on 12 January......

This is a very compassionate and far sighted approach for the company to take. I am very impressed ! Just the ability to make the calls to Haiti and the DR from the company phones can go a long way to alleviate the anxiety that I'm sure many are feeling.

[glendalais]

This is a very compassionate and far sighted approach for the company to take. I am very impressed ! Just the ability to make the calls to Haiti and the DR from the company phones can go a long way to alleviate the anxiety that I'm sure many are feeling.

I can also say that I'm very impressed with how the Company is going about it. The investment needed to facilitate these measures is minimal, and in many cases are already services offered to all Cast Members. However, given what has happened, the effect on Cast morale, and by extension Guest Satisfaction, is tremendous.

Also just heard on the news that the Florida will be receiving about 45,000 Refugees from Haiti, of which 4000 are heading to Orlando and Central Florida. Should be interesting how this turns out. Indeed, if there was a better time for a Refugee programme, this most certainly is it.

[Shorty82]

I can also say that I'm very impressed with how the Company is going about it. The investment needed to facilitate these measures is minimal, and in many cases are already services offered to all Cast Members. However, given what has happened, the effect on Cast morale, and by extension Guest Satisfaction, is tremendous.

Also just heard on the news that the Florida will be receiving about 45,000 Refugees from Haiti, of which 4000 are heading to Orlando and Central Florida. Should be interesting how this turns out. Indeed, if there was a better time for a Refugee programme, this most certainly is it.

The main cost I can see will come from the calling. International calls aren't cheap, nor is paying operators to help route the calls. I'm glad the company is doing this though as there's a large number of Haitian CMs who may not be able to afford calling home, especially trying over and over again to get through.

I'm glad the company is doing everything it is to help our Haitian CMs stay informed about what is happening and helping them to get in contact with family and friends in Haiti.

[Shorty82]

The good old USofA is jumping into the breach with millions in aid and 2,000 Marines. They're gonna need more.

Heard today on the news that we're sending over 5,500 soldiers and Marines down there. I also heard that our very best Search and Rescue dogs and teams are on their way.

I heard from a friend that the Air Force is on their way (may already be there) to run the airfields. The news said the Haitians are having trouble with getting planes off the ground to make room for planes coming in with supplies. If anybody can get the airfields running well in a crisis it's the USAF. They know how to run airfields in war zones where getting planes on the ground, unloaded, and back in the air to make room for planes coming in behind is vital. That is exactly what is needed in Haiti. There's a bunch of planes full of supplies that have been having to return to the Dominican Republic where they took off as there just isn't anywhere for them to land. With the seaports unusable and inaccessible air is the only way to get these needed supplies in.

[Main Streeter]

You can donate $10.00 to the American Red Cross's Haitian Relief Fund by texting "Haiti" to 90999 on your cell phone.

Appreciated this TXT yesterday Shorty. Thanks. :)

[Main Streeter]

I'm glad the company is doing everything it is to help our Haitian CMs stay informed about what is happening and helping them to get in contact with family and friends in Haiti.

Much negativity is stated abt Disney, & yes I slam them in posts, yet the above is also a main reason I stay with Disney. I am very proud of my company, especially when they aide CMs in crisis times. Walt would totally approve.