…“a major earthquake and a direct hit [on the capital]. There must be thousands dead”.

“Like the birds that care for their young when they build a nest in the trees and the mountains, far away from predators, threats and dangers and closer to God, so should we care for our children like something sacred, promote respect for their rights and protect them” (abstract from Zilda Arns’ last speech).

…food, potable water, tents and medical care. Solidarity has been insufficient to protect many newly-born, babies, children, old people and other vulnerable groups from the sun and the rain.

While the humanitarian crisis threatens to get worse, the task of reconstruction after the earthquake of January faces a critical issue: how to build a State where there was none.

Haitian teacher Camille Chalmers was in Asturias, Spain, last May, speaking of the kind of solidarity that the people of Haiti need in order to overcome the devastation caused by the earthquake of January 12th.