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Still helping Haiti
Out of the media spotlight, but still in need.
In January 2010, an extremely powerful earthquake devastated the country of Haiti. It is estimated the damage to Haiti was somewhere in the region of $7.2 to $13.2 billion.
What has been happening in Haiti since the earthquake?
When the earthquake first happened, it dominated headlines. Newspapers, blogs, TV shows and radio stations gave constant up- to-the-minute coverage on the disaster. Since then, things have changed and Haiti is no longer the main buzz word in the media. So, people might be left wondering what is happening there now. Is the country recovering?
Many organisations have been working hard to help Haiti. Trocaire for example have been working hard providing food and shelter to millions. They have also just recently started on house building projects along with repairing schools and hospitals through the country.
In an unusual move, the singer Wyclef Jean applied to run for president of Haiti. He had been active in the restoration efforts in Haiti and was keen to get further involved. He was disqualified from the race however, as he has not lived in Haiti within the past five years. He is currently appealing that decision.
Ireland have pledged €13 million to the restoration efforts in Haiti.
Challenges of helping Haiti:
- Even before the earthquake, Haiti was an extremely vulnerable and poor country. So, not only were there no real systems in place for such a calamity; but also no finances to deal with it.
- Only 52% of the country is literate. There is a real brain drain problem with 80% of college graduates leaving the country to seek work elsewhere.
- The health of the average citizen is subpar; most children are not vaccinated, malaria is a constant threat and most citizens can’t access even basic health care. HIV is rampant in Haiti, along with typhoid, meningitis and cholera.
- There is still a large amount of political instability. Haiti has a history of coups and other political strife. This history of slavery and political instability has a very negative effect on the country overall. Lack of stable government has meant the country has never really had solid time or space to strengthen its governments and provide solid services to its citizens such as decent roads, health care and education.
- Only 12.5% of the population of Haiti has access to electricity. The buildings in Haiti are also very old and thus costly to operate. Many hospitals have to rely on their own diesel generators as a result. Finally, the electricity system is poorly maintained.
How you can help:
- Great progress has been made with Haiti’s debt; with many debtors including the IMF cancelling Haiti’s debts. The IMF has also paid out a loan of $60 million to Haiti. A certain segment of the wider community feels that the IMF should not be loaning money to Haiti; as the country will not be able to pay it back. Thus, the borrowing cycle will start again. They feel that money should instead be given to Haiti in the form of grants. Ireland can help pressure the IMF to give this money as a grant and not a loan, as Ireland has a voice on the Executive Board of the IMF. Ireland is represented by Canada on this board (strange, but true) and so Ireland can push Canada to insist that this debt be cancelled. Click here to email the Canadian Minister for Finance Jim Flaherty and the Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs John Baird.
- Concern would like your cyber help with the Haiti crisis. Simply tweet on Twitter or post status updates on Facebook to raise awareness of the issue. Emphasise that help is still needed. Things have improved, but there is still tons of work to be done for Haiti.
- Get together with some friends and organise a fundraiser for Haiti. Everything from car washes to beard shaving can be used to raise money for this worthy cause. Click here for tons of fundraising ideas; from the obvious to the wacky.
- Splash the cash if you have it. You can make single one off donations or set up a direct debit to charities such as Trocaire or Concern.
- Write to newspapers and try to ensure that they continue to cover the Haiti crisis, now that the initial buzz is over.
Further Information:
Concern
IFRC.org
Fundraising ideas
