Alex Dupuy
Alex Dupuy, a native of Haiti, is a professor of sociology at Wesleyan University and the author most recently of “The Prophet and Power: Jean-Bertrand Aristide, the Inter-national Community, and Haiti.” From the Stabroek News, January 10, 2011 (A shorter version first appeared in the Washington Post on Friday, January 7, 2011.)
The international community responded immediately and massively to the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010…The Haitian population welcomed and was grateful for the humanitarian response and gesture of international solidarity. By contrast, today Haitians are increasingly impatient, discontented, and saying “they’ve had enough” with the United Nations, the international community, and the Haitian government for the lack of progress in rebuilding the economy and the lives shattered by the earthquake…
Haiti is not a large space in relation to total countries now in chaos all over the world.This situation as devastating and tragic as it is may, like so many of life’s tragedies , become an opportunity.
Problems are not so large as to be not quantifiable and divisible into elements that can be budgeted and time-tabled. Some problems are immediate. Many . Problems in Haiti are now extreme but many were pre-existing only made worse by the hurricane.Solutions now implemented should look towards leaving the country in a better state than it was beore the disasters.
Reform is crucial to future development.
I suggest that Haitians should be required to do eight hours work a day according to their capability.Idleness should be penalized.
That the manpower in Haiti should be conscripted to-
1.Form Security Forces- Police, Estate constables for pradial larcency and schools and traffic management,Private guards should be properly trained by foreign security agencies as deemed fit.This will conscript and discipline many of the idle.
2. Design a total Development Plan for the city and new communities in old neighbourhoods or new towns.
3. Those qualified or those willing to learn can be involved in the exercise to survey lots and design neighbourhoods so that the the unhealthy emergency camps can be emptied.
4. All labour available should be conscripted to construct houses so that all able hands especially youth can all be employed.Salaries should be paid to workers if necessary from relief funds
These oncrete houses properly planned constructed and distributed according to need as well as ability to pay rent.No more tents.
5.Public works for water, sewers, recycling of wastes and water should be designed using international assistance.
6.Schools offices ,government buildings should be designed by Haitian firms if necessary under Haitian leadership with foreign assistance.Incentives for Apprentiship programs are required to provide ample employment and training.
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World Bank funds should be diverted from birth control programs popular with World Bank consultants and these funds used instead to constuct sources for alternative energy. Solar power stations, windmills for farming and distribution of domestic appliances for cooking, water heating should be subsidized by the relief organizations.
As soon as possible there should be an end to free food kitchens and other crippling handouts.
Charcoal burning MUST be outlawed. Massive reforestation should commence before the next rainy season.
it should be the intention of the international community that a Haiti of planned communities,skilled population,and forested hills will rise out of the devastation. The tragedy will become a cleansing fire and Haiti will become a viable community with its own culture developing its own people for their unique destiny.