With each passing day, the situation in Haiti becomes even more precarious and desperate. Ten months have now passed, and Haitians, still displaced by the January 12 earthquake, cannot begin to resettle and restart their lives in abodes and communities that offer protection against rapists, criminals, diseases, and inclement weather. The earthquake is the most terrible disaster to have ravaged the country in its entire history, and it has been one of the worst earthquakes the world has ever witnessed. After the poverty-stricken Port-au-Prince had experienced major destruction, tent cities were erected to offer refuge to
hundreds of thousands of Haitians. These tent cities are just that – tents, where “safety” is provided by tarpaulin or canvas. With the lack of protection, crime soared and women and children became more vulnerable to rapists. Some rape victims are as young as two
years. This atrocity has still failed to get leaders to move faster in rebuilding the lives of Haitians. The human congestion and proliferation of unhygienic conditions under which the Haitians live have exposed them to various diseases. In October, there was an outbreak of cholera, resulting in the deaths of more than 500 persons and the affliction of 7,000. Now the tent cities are being further ravaged by inclement weather. Hurricane Tomás has subsided, but not before it, too, wreaked havoc on Haiti, as it has to other Caribbean countries, such as St Vincent and St Lucia. Haitians living in tent cities were inundated by the rains, and their abodes damaged and destroyed. Tomás brought with it mudslides and flooding, and one can only begin to imagine the state in which the Haitians are now living. Their squalor and misery have just been increased, and so has the threat of diseases. Concerns are being raised that if other hurricanes hit the island it will increase the spread of cholera. Haiti is known for its many natural disasters and misfortunes. Sadly, times have not improved the fortunes of the people. The country seems to have been unfortunately
nestled in the pathway of disasters, and that cannot be changed by any force or work. The most that can be done is to encourage the people to change their lifestyles, in order to be
ready to face these calamities. Right now, they are extremely vulnerable because they have no roofs over their heads to protect them from disasters, whether man-made or natural. Again, we have to call on Haiti’s authorities and world and hemispheric leaders to move faster on their reconstruction plans for the country. Every time they delay this project, it takes a heavy toll on the people, and means more misery for them. It is certain that for the remainder of this year, unfortunately, nothing will be done to improve the people’s situation, because Haiti’s presidential and legislative elections will be held on November 28. All focus is on that; and after the elections, there are going to be issues to address, especially if the elections are not transparent, or citizens do not accept the results. Then attention will be diverted from reconstruction to quelling troubles and perhaps violence. Thereafter, the new government will have to focus on other issues, such as finalising the cabinet, getting settled, reviewing national
issues, and making plans, among other things. Haitians’ disaster woes are not going to get any attention until the New
Year starts. It really is a sad reality for the people, but one that no one seems really interested in improving any faster.
