#BTSpeakingOut – Desperate situation in Haiti

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by this author are their own and do not represent the official position of the Barbados Today Inc.

by Medjine Paul

The murder of the Haitian president, though tragic and sad, is not the most disturbing scenario in that country. What is distressing is that Caricom and other organisations and nations continue to use platitudes, speeches, meaningless forums, communiques, et al, that mean nothing, as their solutions to the Haitian problems.

That country needs help. It needs people on the ground in the country helping with the restoration process. It does not need money being thrown at it as invariably the money ends up in the pockets of dishonest public officials.

People interested in helping Haiti must be in control of the funding, on the spot in Haiti ensuring that funds are spent in the manner they are supposed to. Some of these Caricom ambassadors that just have pretty titles need to relocate to Haiti and give hands-on direction and aid.

Indeed, if Haiti objects to the presence of outsiders, it should be made clear that monetary and infrastructural assistance will have a prerequisite that those who are helping must be on the ground and part of the disbursement process to ensure transparency.

If Haiti could have helped itself before, it would have done so eons ago. Haiti has been in strife my entire lifetime and I am into my 45th year.

Haiti has received millions, perhaps billions, over the years in foreign aid and there is very little development to show for it. What does that tell you?

Caricom TALKS about Haiti, other countries TALK about Haiti. What Haiti needs is people to roll up their sleeves and put their hands to the plough.

Haitians are beautiful people. That country is of significant historical, cultural and political importance – technically it is the greatest nation in the Caribbean – but instead it is actually impoverished with no end in sight for its problems.

It breaks my heart.