By Andrew Smith, Staff Reporter
"Our country is bankrupt. The chronic misery of our people was never so great. The degradation of the national ecosystem portends an ecological disaster without match. Society is in a state of such ruin that the very existence of our nation is at stake." Gerard Latortue, Haiti's new Prime Minister, writing in March 2003.
STATISTICS CONCERNING Haiti have become so familiar in recent months that it is easy to become immune to the extent of the humanitarian crisis that the country has faced for many decades. It is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere; has the highest rate of HIV/AIDS in Latin America and the Caribbean; its population of 8 million people is served by 4 thousand policemen; 32 coups have occurred during its 200 years of independence. Exploitation of the land has resulted in decades of land degradation, placing further economic burdens on a country that has a per capita income of less than US$500.00 per year. These factors more than political and armed forces have resulted in placing Haiti in the state of turmoil that it is in.
SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS
During the two weeks that I spent in the upheaval that is now Haiti, I came up with one word to describe the country sad. This was plainly evident as the plane flew over Haiti. Whereas most Caribbean countries boast verdant green mountains, Haiti's hilly interior is an apocalyptic parched brown landscape, with dry river beds meandering to the coast. This is due to the unbridled deforestation that has resulted from Haitians using trees as source of cheap fuel. Charcoal vending is a way of life for many poor Haitians in the rural areas.
On alighting from the plane in Port-au-Prince, the social and environmental degradation was reinforced. The capital could be described as 'ghetto metropolis' where 2 million people live, many in dense slums which are breeding grounds for armed political militants. Rivers of sewage inundate garbage-strewn streets in which many residents scavenge for their livelihood.
You would think that such conditions would result in a populace which is angry, dissatisfied and wanting to better themselves. This is true to a degree. It would appear that many Haitians have accepted their lot in life. It should be remembered that the opposition to Jean-Bertrand Aristide did not come from the ordinary man in the street, but from students, former army officers and the political opposition. He still had a power base among the urban poor. Ironically, these are the ones whose social well-being needs to be uplifted most of all.
When Jean-Bertrand Aristide was democratically elected in 1991, he was seen as Haiti's messiah. According to Micha Gaillard, spokesperson of the Democratic Convergence opposition coalition, and former ally of Mr. Aristide, "Thirteen years ago, he was the guy who would give to each Haitian dignity the poor, middle class and rich. For the poor, he was the symbol that one of them could be head of the power."
The poor still exhibit faith in the deposed leader. Mr. Gaillard says, "There are people who are the poorest who think that Jean-Bertrand Aristide can be changed."
In order for Haiti to progress, poverty, literacy, health and the economic climate have to improve. According to data from the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme, there are 25 doctors per 100,000 Haitians; 50 per cent of the population is undernourished, the literacy rate is 50.8 per cent and the country's Gross Domestic Product is growing at 1.7 per cent.
The international community needs desperately to assist Haiti. The United Nations is appealing for US$35 million dollars to resuscitate the country. The United Nation Food and Agriculture Organization is appealing for US$4.0 million to provide seeds and tools for Haiti's farmers. Hopefully they will receive it.
Haiti needs long-term growth and development in order for it no longer be described as the Caribbean's basket case. Unfortunately, Haitians do not have a tradition of patience with their leaders. So either the international community will pump aid to the country or the continuing cycle of coups and revolutions will continue.
