The island still not reborn

“Today, half a million Haitians still live in camps, and cholera persists. More importantly, we recognize that Haiti will remain vulnerable to natural disasters, like hurricanes, floods and landslides, and are committed to helping the communities we work with to boost their disaster resilience”: two years after the earthquake that devastated the Caribbean island, Kristalina Georgieva, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid, has issued a press release in which she reviews the steps so far taken to get over the emergency. Most problems, she recognizes, have not been overcome, though some progress has been made. But for the rebirth of Hispaniola greater courage needs to be shown by the international community.Rebuilding homes. To mark the second anniversary of the earthquake, the European Union has launched a new aid programme which is concentrated on the reconstruction of houses, and from which some 60,000 persons are set to benefit. “This new programme – reports the Commission in Brussels -, for a total of 23 million euro, will be realized in concert with the local communities and the Haitian Ministry of Public Works”. The earthquake of 12 January 2010, with its epicentre not far from the capital Port-au-Prince, claimed the lives of 222,000 people and affected some three million inhabitants of the Caribbean island, leaving them either homeless or injured or both. “The two years that followed were no less challenging”, says Commissioner Georgieva: Haiti was severely hit by the passage of Hurricane Thomas and has suffered “from cholera epidemics worse than any other seen over the past century” (it is calculated that 500,000 have been infected, and their number continues to grow). The homeless are numerous, and the lack of decent housing is often compounded by the lack of proper healthcare, welfare and schools. Too many families are without enough food, or medicines. Hospitals, schools and jobs are desperately needed. Of the international aid solemnly pledged before television cameras throughout the world – some 5 billion dollars – only about half has effectively arrived.Humanitarian problems. The Commission for its part has administered EU aid in Haiti (the EU is in fact the principal donor, with 1.2 billion euro pledged, apart from minor allocations from the budgets of the Commission and of member states; in this case too a large part of the funds has still to be used), and focused it on various programmes: short and medium term reconstruction; humanitarian aid especially for food, water, medical treatment; and support for the reconstruction of civil and political life. Catherine Ashton, High Representative of the EU for foreign affairs, says that “while the most acute humanitarian problems have been tackled, I am fully aware that difficult reconstruction challenges remain”. Perhaps, though, there’s too much optimism in this declaration. Ashton continues: “I hope that the establishment of the new administration under President Michel Martelly and Prime Minister Gary Conille will mark the beginning of a period of political stability and economic growth. This is essential for the reconstruction process”.Political stability. The EU foreign affairs chief further reflects on the future of the island, where – she stresses – the urgent problems on the level of material reconstruction cannot be divorced from those of political stability, democracy, protection of rights, socio-economic development, and education. “We will continue to work with our Haitian friends, with EU member states and our international partners to improve infrastructures, assist the economic recovery, and support improved governance and the consolidation of Haitian and State government”. Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Development, emphasizes instead that “the reconstruction of Haiti remains for us a priority on the order of the day”. Piebalgs focuses in particular on EU commitment to the reconstruction of homes, streets, public buildings and schools. He also identifies some successes, e.g. as regards schooling and an admittedly embryonic stimulus to the local economy. The Commissioner then announces a forthcoming mission to the island, “in particular to inaugurate a training centre and the reconstruction of the country’s main highroad”. Promises to be kept. Over these last two years there has been growing awareness of the intrinsic weakness of Haitian society and the widespread poverty of the country, the lack of internal mobilization and the slow responses of the international community. The poor, the victims of cholera, the homeless and the unemployed continue to appeal for both immediate and long-term aid. Ms. Georgieva promises: “Less than 24 hours after the earthquake struck, the Commission deployed humanitarian and civil protection experts and mobilized emergency assistance. And we will remain there as long as there are people who need our help”.