Let’s face it: Haiti had a pretty progressive start. In 1804, it declared independence from France to become the second country in the New World after the U.S. to give its colonial “motherland” the boot and the first, yes first, Black Republic. Who then would have predicted that Haiti would now claim the title of poorest country in the West?
Haiti recently played runner-up to the U.S. again but in a considerably less glorious light. In 1981, Haiti was the second country in the West, after the U.S., to report AIDS cases. Within the Caribbean, Haiti has had the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rate since the 1980s. Currently, the Caribbean AIDS prevalence rate is second only to sub-Saharan Africa (UNAIDS, 2003).
But let’s open our window to Haitian health a little wider than to its notorious AIDS epidemic. Health expenditure per capita in 2001 was US$56 compared to US$253 in Jamaica and US$4,887 in the U.S. (WHO). In 2002, the life expectancy of the average Haitian was estimated at 50 years (WHO). How many of us have fathers around 50?
To make matters worse, Haiti was lashed by Tropical Storm Jeanne in September of this year resulting in 1,870 deaths, 884 disappearances, 2,620 injured and 298,926 affected (OCHA Report, 10/6/2004). Massive flooding—exacerbated by widespread deforestation—in more than half of the island has plunged the country into a state of crisis.
Haiti is currently heavily dependent on storm aid from various members of the external donor community. And since Jeanne’s devastating floods hit the country, agencies like the International Red Cross have stepped up efforts in the provision of food, medical supplies and money to the most severely affected areas. However, reaching these target places has proved difficult, even dangerous as feuding between the nation’s political groups has continued in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The current Haitian government has been ineffective in curbing fighting between right and left paramilitia in these troubled regions. Although 3,000 UN peacekeepers were sent in over the summer, innocent civilians continue to be victims of attack and civil strife has encumbered flood aid.
Why is Haiti’s government unable to control the violence?
The current government is not considered a legitimate entity by much of the Haitian population. In Feb. 2004, Haiti’s former president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide, was ousted by a U.S- backed coup after which an interim body was installed. Since then, the hostility between right (anti-Aristide) and left (pro-Aristide) groups has further intensified. The incumbent government blames Aristide supporters for the increase in violence. Aristide supporters accuse the interim government of conspiring with right-leaning guerrilla groups in attacks against civilians and Aristide sympathizers. They also accuse the government of exercising selective justice: anti-Aristide groups allegedly perpetrate their violent activities with relative impunity.
In an interview with Professor Alex Dupuy of the Sociology Department, three courses of action were strongly recommended for peace to be realized in Haiti:
-“Comprehensive disarmament” (the violence has to be quelled for food and aid to reach the masses)
-“No impunity for right-leaning paramilitaries” (anti-Aristide groups should NOT get away with using civilians for target practice)
-Establishment of a fair and “democratic electoral process” in time for the projected 2005 elections (a real government for the people by the people, not for the U.S.).
But until these recommendations are achieved, what can we do to help?
Well, this Thursday (November 4) at 8-10 pm, the West Indian Student Association will be sponsoring an Open Mic on Haiti in the Malcolm X House basement. Donations ($1 minimum) will be collected at the door. There will be several dynamic student performances and representatives of the Connecticut Haitian American Organization and faculty will be in attendance. Refreshments will include traditional Haitian desserts.
Come, support and recognize the past victories and current struggles of the Haitian people.
Note: There are also several boxes for donations of canned food and basic medical supplies (band-aids, pain killers, etc.) around campus.
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