While many other nations around the world celebrate the New Year with festivities, lights, and loud proclamations, Haiti always has a special day. January 1 marks the anniversary of Haiti’s independence, and this year’s 206th anniversary gives testament to the oldest independent nation in Latin America. The New Year serves as a reminder of their hard-won democracy, the promise of new beginnings, and a necessary resolution list every year to propel Haiti towards the future. Throughout Haiti’s history, it struggled with coups d’état, political cronyism, and corruption as well as a geographic location mired in the storm paths of repeated hurricanes. In American newscasts over the years, the public has gotten used to seeing Haiti as a shabby, broken nation fraught with dire health and infrastructure needs, contentious voting and political practices. President Rene Preval’s government took steps to convince Haitian citizens and the world that he was serious about rooting out corruption and initiating programs beneficial to all Haitians.
Then tragedy of a 7.0 magnitude arrived. The January 12 earthquake that struck the nation’s capital city Port-Au-Prince struck the globe’s attention with equal force. It is the most severe earthquake on record for Haiti in 200 years. In a perfect storm of precarious situations and shaky economic foundations, Haiti was at the mercy of Mother Nature, and the whole world was suspended in horror. With the presidential palace and Parliament buildings among the destroyed structures, President Preval has himself felt the despair of his people, being homeless and acutely aware of security issues. He has the task of running the country and coordinating with international aid efforts that have their own protocol for success. At this point, reports say 150,000 people have died and countless survivors are maimed, orphaned, homeless, or even stuck under rubble waiting for rescue. The earthquake and the aftermath directly affect approximately 3 million people of Haiti’s 8 million. Logistical nightmares included inadequate landing strips for planes with supplies and security needs to distribute aid and calm riots and disorder. In a record amount of time, however, the United States government, the UN’s mission MINUSTAH (working in the country since 2004), other international governments, various individuals, and the entertainment industries have found innovative ways to raise funds for relief. President Obama led relief efforts by sending 16,000 American troops, followed by Cuba, Israel, China, and other nations.
Haiti is now in a state of flux, having survived many more aftershocks, and relief in the form of daily food handouts, medical treatment, and relocations efforts by a coalition of international and local volunteers. The reality of Haiti’s situation is evident in the news coverage by CNN’s Anderson Cooper, who flew almost immediately after the devastation to have a live stream despite technological problems and chaotic scenes behind him on camera. A telethon reportedly raised $57 million on January 22, counting among the concerned volunteers, actors, directors, entertainers, and various public persons. Haiti’s native son entertainer Wyclef Jean spearheaded efforts to raise funds with his Yele organization. Even through media scrutiny of appropriations of such funds, Jean has maintained his dedication to helping his people, even hiring a new accounting firm on January 22 to review practices and promote transparency in his organization.
The most positive outlook for Haiti is one that sees a great opportunity for rebuilding the impoverished nation. International watch groups and various officials call for a cancellation of Haiti’s US $1.3 billion debt with the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, which they qualified for since September 2009. At this point, Haiti needs all the infrastructure rebuilding and overhauls of every functional system to regain its footing as a working state. President Preval’s vow to work through this tragedy with his citizens will be monitored closely by international governments and news, probably the most involved since the days of Papa Doc and Baby Doc. Some journalists maintain that a temporary authority is necessary to help rebuild the nation, while others exhibit concern over an influx of military from the U.S. unequal to the amount of aid. This is truly a moment where there is no other direction but up, and no excuses for not leading proactively. The shortcomings of governments past cannot continue, and the world cannot turn a blind eye this time, but it must be a combined effort, with Haitian citizens in the center.
The dignity of the Haitian people amidst all of this is fierce in the face of so many setbacks, reflecting the heritage they cultivated over two centuries ago during a bloody revolution. They survive dictators, civil wars, abject poverty, and the wrath of the natural world in stride, and with the focused efforts of other governments, the hope is that Haiti will rise up from recent events stronger than before. In his first State of the Union address on January 27, President Obama addressed the crisis in Haiti, making it a point of immediate concern among other important tasks this year in health care and economic progress. The more determined the Haitian government is to stand on its own two feet and work with international entities to govern and police itself through this upset, the more confident the Haitian people and the world will be in its recovery.
For information on how to give a monetary contribution or send aid, please visit:
http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/eappeal.nsf/egift-haiti-earthquake-relief
Sources:
http://www.theboombox.com/2010/01/25/wyclefs-yele-haiti-foundation-hires-new-accounting-firm/
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/americas/01/25/haiti.aid.track/index.html
http://yele.org/about/index.html
“After the Earthquake: A Plan for Haiti.” The Economist. Jan. 23-29 2010: 13-14. The Economist Newspaper Limited
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