Michelle Obama Attends Beyonce Concert
7 Weird Ways To Bug-Proof Your Picnic
It may not grab headlines like it did months ago, but the rebuilding effort in earthquake-ravaged Haiti is dragging on with stories colored by street violence, greed, government disorganization and a general sense of hopelessness.
Promises of aid flooded in from the farthest reaches of the world after the powerful earthquake killed more than a quarter of a million people in the already struggling nation. And leaders of the barely functioning government promised to work to rebuild the island-nation slums damaged by the quake into more livable communities.
Yet published reports from Haiti paint a sad picture of the rebuilding efforts.
Most of the $3.1 billion pledged for humanitarian aid had gone toward field hospitals and other immediate aid like plastics tarps for temporary housing. It also went to averting epidemics from the poor sanitation and rotting bodies in public spaces.
What is left for more permanent relief is the question.
Poor and corrupt planning in neighborhoods like Corail-Cesselesse, where new squatters and old landowners battle over future construction, dim the hopes for promised new communities springing up.
Haiti had so many serious crises in the immediate aftermath of the quake, aid was focused on people's day-to-day survival. And their efforts were largely successful. While plagued by continuing street crime and rape, the predicted mass breakdown of civil society in Haiti has been largely averted.
Now it is time for foreign governments and non-governmental organizations to focus on Haiti's long-term health. Sadly, the complexity and cost of this task will make the immediate quake relief look like a walk in the park. But it must be done if world leaders are sincere in their pledges to build a truly "new" Haiti.
Comments: (2)
Add a comment
By: elizabeth on 7/13/2010 3:57PM
God told me what I decree it shall come to pass. This day I decree the help to Haiti the Lord knows that country needs so desperately and I further decree that all monies sent and already been sent shall be used for the rebuilding of proper establishments that will withstand the storms and earthquakes and tornadoes. I decree men, women, and their children shall be taken care of and love shall be restored as when heart to heart and brest to breast they gather. I ask Jesus Himself to visit Haiti in this their dire hour of need and I am believing for many people who could have given but held back becuz they feel it wouldn't go out to the right people may now come forth as never before and it shall go on record that we serve a God who will care for all People. amen Thanks Lord! God did.
Reply to this Comment | Report This
By: DOWNTOWN DONNY on 7/14/2010 3:28AM
What we need to do is to bring all of them over here to Brooklyn, and Revamp the Island with 'treated wood huts' and make it an island retreat for the Honkeys. Build more projects in MONTANA,or UTAH and store them there so they can join the Church of Latter Day Saints,so they can leave us American 'Bantu,s" alone.They now go from ghetto to ghetto trying to recruit us. They did not want us in the 1960's because we could not trace our ancesters and what-not.If you were Haitian you could join the 'old boy network'. Now they are in need you do not hear from the Mormans no more. What is up with that?
Reply to this Comment | Report This