Haiti
| République d'Haïti Repiblik d Ayiti | |
|---|---|
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| Flag | Coat of Arms |
| Capital | Port-au-Prince |
| Government | Republic |
| Language | [[French, Haitian Creole]] (official) |
| President | René Préval |
| Prime minister | Jacques-Edouard Alexis |
| Area | 10,714 sq mi |
| Population | 8,528,000 (2005) |
| GDP per capita | $1,800 (2006) |
| Currency | Gourde |
The Republic of Haiti is a country located in the Caribbean Sea, and occupies one-third of the Caribbean island Hispaniola.
Columbus' ship the Santa Maria reached Haiti on Christmas Eve 1492. The settlement there was named "La Navidad". Haiti was given to Spain in the Line of Demarcation set up by the Pope in 1515.
Haiti formed the first successful slave revolt under the leadership of Toussaint L'Ouverture and was the first independent black republic. Haiti claimed its independence from France on January 1, 1804, making it the second country in the Americas to gain its independence.
About 80% of the population lives in wretched poverty, and Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the western hempisphere.[1] Haiti is the origin of the occult practice of voodoo, which is still popular in rural areas.
French is taught in schools, but the language of conversation is Haitian Creole.
Earthquake
On January 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit about 10 miles from the capital city. Early estimates are that hundreds of thousands have died, and many others are trapped or injured or orphaned. The infrastructure providing food, water, shelter, medical care and transportation has collapsed in much of the very poor country.
Relief efforts
The best-publicized response in the US and Europe has been to pledge or solicit money for relief. No word from the Haitian government itself.
One worry conservatives have is whether the money will be spent effectively.
- Aid organizations affiliated with churches did the best in delivering aid after the tsunami. Their people were on the ground and living with the people who needed their help. Large NGO’s and government agency types just flew in, stayed at the best hotels, and flew out. There was little attempt to work with the local leaders and address local needs. They just dictated and flew away. [1]
Red Cross
The Red Cross has three staffers in Haiti, and a food warehouse in Panama. Their initial response was to "pledge" $200,000 in aid and to send a disaster management specialist to Haiti. [2]
Sovereignty
Diplomatic relations, always strained, may force donor countries to tread carefully with relief efforts. President Obama's initial statement sounds like a man walking on eggs:
- Officials said Obama told them to start preparing in case humanitarian assistance was needed. [3]
Of course, humanitarian assistance is needed; it's just that the Haitian government has to ask for it (or at least, be willing to accept it). Last time, when a hurricane caused devastating mudslides, the Haitian government was more concerned with maintaining its sovereignty than with getting fresh water to disaster victims (see also tsunami relief).