Canada has a huge investment in the future of Haiti. Canadians want personally to take part in that investment and, more importantly, see our investments pay off in a viable society that gives each Haitian a reason to hope for a better future. At this time, a better future seems a long way off for each Haitian and the value of our tremendous contributions is extremely tenuous.
There is no doubt Canadians have been moved to the depths of their souls by the horrible suffering caused by the recent earthquake in Haiti. Not only do we have human emotions, we see Haiti as a rather special place to Canadians. After Afghanistan, Haiti is the largest recipient of our aid. Our Governor General came to Canada from Haiti as an 11-year-old child and keeps that island nation in her heart. We have several hundreds of thousands of citizens and residents with Haitian backgrounds. Many Canadians go to Haiti for a number of reasons, and of 6,000 there at the time, some died in the quake. As a nation, we have made it clear in very practical ways that we want to see poverty alleviated and development boosted in Haiti.
All this is ample reason why Canada should lead in the efforts to redevelop Haiti – not as the Haiti that existed before the quake but as a place where everyone has opportunity to live happy, worthwhile lives. We should help Haiti create a stable government. We should help Haiti develop industry and commerce like tourism that are best for its attributes and citizens’ wishes. We should provide health and education resources – we’re good at that.
My point too is that we should do this intelligently. On a government level, we should move both quickly in the short term and steadily over the long term. We should not throw a bunch of money at the voluminous problems of Haiti without tracking the money assiduously and ensuring every dollar goes to help the Haitian people and the nation’s infrastructure. Partisanship has no place in this effort and all political parties in the House should participate equally in planning and implementation. Government should guarantee long term funding and effort and commit future governments to this.
Personally, Canadians should donate to the effort wisely. Don’t fall for the many phony charities and appeals that have sprung up and that will proliferate as long as Haiti is in the headlines. This may sound hard, but don’t give money either to the small, well-intentioned efforts that haven’t a realistic hope of making a dent in Haiti’s needs. Support only charities who have proven they can be effective on the ground in Haiti. Do your homework before you give a dime because every donation can make a difference if it is properly directed.
All of us should realize that development of Haiti goes far beyond rebuilding structures destroyed by the quake. If we are serious, it means remaining committed to Haiti for several decades. It means using the experience and skills of Canadians in tourism and travel, manufacturing and distribution, finance and law, health and welfare, education and job training – every area that creates a modern society and that fits Haiti’s potential. If we think we’re in it for the short haul, or just until the next disaster in some other part of the globe, we’re being naïve. Haiti is hard work but I think it’s worth it.
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Good Morning Mr. Goldhawk,
Good advice and info. however, again on the news last night they showed a small truck with some supplies for the people being rushed. A number of bags were tossed off the truck and very few people grabbed one and were immediately overpowered and ambushed by other hungry and desperate people. Now I ask you, who is doing the organizing here? Why aren’t there individual boxes filled with enough food and water for one person being distributed in a more organized and efficient manner????? I for one, have donated a tidy sum to help and feel that food and water is the immediate need right now, and wonder where our 86 million dollars, matched by the government is going? That is 172 million dollars!!!!! That generous amount of money isn’t feeding these poor people???? What is wrong with this picture???? I’m more than willing to volunteer to put these boxes together and even go so far as to put a plan together to distribute them orderly and efficiently. There must be a better way! Annette C.