It is important to start building new hospitals and schools as soon as possible but it's most urgent to save the lives of thousands of children who could then make use of these schools.

We've heard the parish is wiped out, totally wiped out. Its hospitals, schools, homes and civic center are all under water.

There's a strong correlation between urbanization and demand for raw materials. With new roads, hospitals, airports, schools and housing comes rising demand for lumber, cement, steel, copper, rubber, glass and a host of other basic materials.

We think [specialty hospitals] create an unfair playing field.

We need the money now or we will be forced to scale down food deliveries. So far, we have been operating on reserves, and borrowing ... and the pipeline is drying up.

I would say we have made good progress. The glass is definitely half-full -- it's not half-empty -- but we are still worried because the weather is the big unknown factor and we are not sure how people will be able to cope.