Another Look at Haiti

Danny True

In reviewing the devastating situation that occurred in January in Haiti, the people there are not much better off than when the earthquake hit. They will be removing debris and recovering bodies for a long time. Rebuilding, especially in Port au Prince, will take decades, at least!

Much aid from all over the world has been delivered as far as to the airport, but there is still difficulty in getting it distributed to those in need. Sure, those in walking-distance proximity to the airport seem to be getting supplies – food, water, clothing, bedding/tents, etc., but many of the “relief agencies” are just not getting the supplies moved out to the masses of people.  For that reason, crime has become rampant; looting, high-jacking of the few deliveries and stealing from those too weak to defend themselves have become the norm.

To compound this, the local Haitian police and even the United Nations support are not very effective in that country that is so accustomed to poverty. For many the way of life is to take what you can – regardless. It is just an exercise in pure survival.

Recently, we have heard of the USA Baptist Church group, trying to care for orphans, who were arrested and charged with the crime of kidnapping. At this point no one knows all the facts related to that situation, but we must conclude that they were honestly trying to help the children. But, the government is apparently moving forward with their charges against the nine missionaries.

It seem ironic that, in a nation that has had its prisons destroyed and tens of thousands of previously incarcerated felons running loose in the streets, they have chosen to concentrate their resources on a small group of nine missionaries from the USA, their greatest benefactor that is helping them to overcome the catastrophe that has overwhelmed their infrastructure, much less the multi-millions of American dollars donated each year by our Government, as well as church and non-profit groups, trying to help the people of Haiti to have a better life!

For years, it has been known that the Haitian government is corrupt and has re-directed most of the aid intended for their poor people, to the personal gain of their leaders. Even this situation with the missionaries further reveals the corruption there. You shouldn’t be surprised if you hear that the (Haitian) judge will place a very heavy fine (which can be called a ransom) on these people to “buy” their release back to the USA!  Judges’ robes have DEEP pockets as well!

Something else to be considered – like China and other foreign countries, Haiti makes a lot of money in fees, processing, etc. when couples come there for the purpose of adopting children. You can be sure that, IF those orphans were removed from Haiti, not to be returned, the Haitian “agencies” would lose out on thousands, if not millions, in “processing fees”! They have SO many orphans there to take care of that a few wouldn’t make that much difference except for the adoption value they represent.

In the years since the overthrow of the Francois ‘Papa Doc’ Duvalier (and later, “Baby Doc”) dictatorial regime in 1986, the United States has been virtually underwriting what was supposed to be a Democratic government there. But, in fact, those elected to office in Haiti just resumed “ruling as usual” and are at least as corrupt (if not more so) as the Duvalier’s! However, we keep pouring millions and millions of our (USA) aid dollars into that situation. The rich get richer and the poor keep starving!

Haiti, once called “The Jewel of the Antilles”, was the richest colony in the entire world. Economists estimate that in the 1750s Haiti provided as much as 50% of the Gross National Product of France. The French imported sugar, coffee, rum, cocoa, tobacco, cotton, the dye indigo and other exotic products. In France they were refined, packaged and sold all over Europe. Incredible fortunes were made from this tiny colony on the island of Hispaniola.

However, over the centuries those ruling this nation of former slaves have bled and drained its resources until, today, there is very little left. Even all the trees (lumber & charcoal) have been depleted; stripped from the land.

The United Nations is a powerless agency and has no real impact or authority there. And, no nation has any right to try to help them, without their (leaders’) consent.  And, certainly, they would not consent to have someone try to correct a situation that they have created, where the leaders are the beneficiaries!

So, what CAN be done there? Well, there IS a drastic solution but it may force them to capitulate to the desire that other countries have to help them prosper again as a nation.

Cut off ALL future aid! With the full burden of recovery placed on those leaders in power, they will either have to release the treasures they have stockpiled from the 24 years of assistance sent to them by us and other nations, or the people will have a “tea party” and will rise up in rebellion. No, I’m not advocating insurrection but it is their country and they need to see the problem corrected.

Now, that may seem callous and without compassion but it may be the only way. The Duvalier’s were thrown out of office in a similar manner and it could be done, correctly, again.

Eighty-five percent of the people in Haiti are Christian (mostly Roman Catholic). Even though the majority of them are illiterate, they are human and needed to be treated as such.  Basic human rights are scant. But there is a number of sufficiently educated people who, if allowed to run for political office there, could turn their nation around. We, as believers, need to pray that the proper method of transition of the government to responsible leaders occur quickly! Otherwise Haiti will remain in squalor and the destitute nation that we now see — “the nemesis of the Antilles“!

NOTE: Since this writing eight of the 9 missionaries have been released.

Photo: Courtesy, Alan Jones

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