Governor Patrick creates "catastrophic leave" program for state workers

Gov. Deval Patrick on Thursday signed an executive order permitting executive branch employees to donate earned vacation and personal leave time to colleagues with relatives in Haiti. The move, supported by Haitian state lawmakers Linda Forry and Marie St.

Scientists study potential for another, larger earthquake

Nathan Hodge at Haiti ReWired posts on alarming reports from seismologists and NASA scientists now studying the Haitian fault line that triggered the Jan. 12 earthquake. Southern California Public Radio looks at same issue today.

Boston-based online seeks to connect Haitians to help; Diaspora needed

A Boston-based team of computer technicians and organizers is reaching out to the Haitian-American diaspora today with a request for volunteers to help their project. In particular, they are asking local Kreyol speakers to come out to a training session on the campus of Tufts University in Medford this Saturday (tomorrow) at noon. Sabina Carlson of the Ushahidi project explains further below:

New website pools tech resources to discuss rebuilding Haiti

The editors at Wired Online have created a new website — ReWiring Haiti — in which experts in tech and innovation are already discussing ways to re-build Haiti. Please pass the word to Haitian-Americans and allies in the appropriate fields.

Boston Phoenix: Local girl "stranded" in Haiti after quake

Chris Faraone of the Boston Phoenix tells the compelling story of Jenny Ulysee, who has been stuck in Haiti due to immigration issues since being injured in the Jan. 12 quake.

Harvard's Kennedy School plans Feb. 1 Forum on "Haiti after the Earthquake"

Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government will convene a special forum entitled "Haiti after the Earthquake" on Monday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend. Seating is limited. Please see the Kennedy School's Institute of Politics site for more details. Speakers will include Massachusetts State Rep. Marie St. Fleur; State Rep. Linda Dorcena Forry; Dr. Allen Counter, Harvard Foundation; Ricardo Hausmann, HKS; and Mary Jo Bane, Academic Dean, HKS.

Kerry: "Haiti's recovery must belong to the Haitian people"

U.S. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) made an opening statement this morning at a Congressional hearing held to discuss the U.S. response to the earthquake in Haiti. Included in his remarks: "Haiti's recovery must belong to the Haitian people. They may need our help today, but they must be empowered to build their own future down the road." To view a video of the proceedings- including testimony from Dr.

Activists, academics urge Congress to shift focus to relief aid, away from military

In a letter organized by the TransAfrica Forum and sent to members of Congress today, activists and academic leaders are urging the U.S. to de-emphasize the military's role in the response to the Jan. 12 earthquake and to shift focus to improving the relief efforts on the ground. The letter notes that "an over-emphasis on security has meant costly delays in distributing aid that have cost lives and led to otherwise unnecessary amputations in some cases."

Poll: Two-thirds of Haitian-Americans willing to return to Haiti to help

A poll sponsored by New American Media and released today gives new insight into just how deeply the American Dyaspora has been affected by the Jan. 12 earthquake.The poll, conducted last week in both English and Kreyol, suggests that "three out of five respondents said they had lost some of their 'loved ones.' Two-thirds felt the situation in their country was so dire they were willing to move back to Haiti for a period of time to help with the reconstruction.

Plymouth boy writes about the loss of family members

The Patriot Ledger has published an article today by a nine year-old Plymouth boy who lost members of his family in the Jan. 12 earthquake.

Boston Haitian Reporter