Failing Haiti: Still Living Under Tarps August 16, 2010
The "international community" is in charge of rebuilding Haiti, and one thing has become clear: they are not interested in any kind of democracy there, not even the low level of "democracy" that they have committed to in Iraq or Afghanistan. Haiti's provisional electoral commission (CEP) has now decided once again that the country's largest political party, Fanmi Lavalas, will not be allowed to participate in parliamentary elections scheduled for November.
Clinton in Haiti: Haiti's Colonial Overlord August 06, 2010 - By Ashley Smith
Amid the hoopla over Chelsea Clinton's wedding at a posh estate north of New York City, there were plenty of toasts in the media to Bill Clinton and the good works he's performed since leaving the White House. In particular, Clinton's role in working with Haiti, both before and after the catastrophic earthquake last January, was singled out.
Canada's Failed Aid to Haiti August 05, 2010
The six month mark after Haiti's Jan. 12 earthquake saw a flurry of news reports in Canada and around the world. The depictions of the harsh conditions still prevailing for most earthquake victims took many people by surprise. The relative silence of the media over the last few months led many to assume that the international aid effort had accomplished much more than it has.
Haiti: Wyclef Jean for President. Manipulating the Electoral Process
August 04, 2010 - By Charlie Hinton
To cut to the chase, no election in Haiti, and no candidate in those elections, will be considered legitimate by the majority of Haiti's population, unless it includes the full and fair participation of the Fanmi Lavalas Party of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. Fanmi Lavalas is unquestionably the most popular party in the country, yet the "international community," led by the United States, France and Canada, has done everything possible to undermine Aristide and Lavalas, overthrowing him twice by military coups in 1991 and 2004 and banishing Aristide, who now lives in South Africa with his family, from the Americas.
Haitians and Brazilians protest UN occupation August 03, 2010
On July 28 Haitians protested in Port-au-Prince, Hinche, St-Marc and other cities to mark the 95th anniversary of the start of the 1915-1934 US military occupation of their country. Dozens of supporters of the Lavalas Family (FL) party of former president Jean Bertrand Aristide (1991-1996 and 2001-2004) held a sit-in in front of the US embassy in the northeastern Port-au-Prince suburb of Tabarre to demand Aristide's return from South Africa, the firing of election officials and the withdrawal of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), a 9,000-member military and police occupation force. Embassy officials met with a delegation of FL leaders, including Maryse Narcisse, who demanded that the US not finance the scheduled Nov. 28 general elections as long as the FL continued to be excluded from the ballot.
The betrayal of Haiti August 02, 2010 - By Ashley Smith
Six months after Haiti's catastrophic earthquake, the promises of the world's most powerful governments to provide billions in aid to one of the world's poorest and weakest governments have been betrayed.
Haiti Gears Up for Polls - Again, Sans Lavalas
July 30, 2010 - By Wadner Pierre
After weeks of delays, Haitian President René Préval confirmed this month that presidential and legislative elections will take place on Nov. 28. The U.N. and Western donor nations are pledging millions of dollars in support of the polls, but with at least 1.5 million people still homeless from the January earthquake, questions loom over how to ensure voter participation.
Haitian Hospitals Awash With Supplies, Struggle to Pay Staff (Part 2) July 29, 2010 - By Sarah Ryley
Down a craggy pathway, past the open-air pews that line the emergency wing, to the right of a bright red shipping container packed with tents and toiletries that in five months has yet to be cracked open, is the Hopital Adventiste d'Haiti's "excess supply outpost."
The Role Of Women In Rebuilding Haiti July 26, 2010
More than 6 months after the earthquake, Haitians -- and particularly Haitian women -- continue to struggle. Danielle St. Lot has held several positions in Haiti's government, and has spent much of her career focused on promoting women's rights. St. Lot talks about the role of women in the rebuilding process.
Development and Aid in Haiti: Looking into the shadows (Part I) July 26, 2010 - By Stephanie Dearing
Curtained behind the bloated non-profit sector working in Haiti are the for-profit corporations who work for USAID. Not much is known about the for-profits because they are accountable only to the organizations that give them funding.
Development and Aid in Haiti: Looking into the shadows (Part II) July 26, 2010 - By Stephanie Dearing
Agriculture is seen as Haiti's best hope for recovery, but agriculture in Haiti is mainly performed by small scale farmers who can't afford to buy seeds or other inputs.
Quake aftermath: T&T to help Haiti's broken-down public sector
July 23, 2010 - By Julien Neaves
LOCAL public servants will be assisting in redeveloping the Haitian public sector that was left in chaos following the devastating January 12 earthquake.
Patchwork of Aid Groups Coming into Focus
July 23, 2010 - By Aprille Muscara
Half a year ago, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from around the globe flocked to Haiti to help pick up the pieces after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake shattered the fragile Caribbean nation. Many have since left, but hundreds remain, as does the logistical challenge of their coordination.
IMF Cancels Haiti's Debt, Then Gives New Loan, and More
July 23, 2010 - By Yana Kunichoff
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has decided to cancel Haiti's $268 million debt, reported Democracy Now!, while signing it up for fresh loans. Groups including Jubilee USA, a network of faith-based human rights groups, criticized the IMF for pushing the ailing Haiti into a cycle of debt by not offering outright grants instead. The new IMF loans to Haiti are worth $60 million and will be used to help fund post-earthquake reconstruction efforts.
Gordon Campbell on Haiti, as the hurricanes arrive July 22, 2010
Six months after the Haiti earthquake, only a trickle of the $10 billion in aid that had been pledged by dozens of countries and multilateral agencies has actually been delivered to Haiti. Reportedly, only a handful of countries – namely, Brazil, Australia, Estonia and Norway – have actually walked the walk on the aid they promised. Last week, Haitian President Rene Preval said that only $35 million had come into the coffers of the state.
Thousands in Haiti march on Aristide's birthday
July 21, 2010 - By Randall White
Aristide Foundation, turned west along the north-side of the airport past the strong and supporting neighborhoods of Sarthe and Cite Soleil. Finally, the march headed downtown through the Aristide stronghold of Bel-Air past the earthquake devastation of the National Cathedral and back down the hill to join the masses camped out in front of the National Palace to bring their demands. The crowd was estimated to be 7-8 thousand before it arrived at the Palace.
Opportunities in Haiti are Washing Away July 21, 2010 - By Mark Schuller
Last Monday marked the six-month point following the earthquake. At the remains of the National Palace medals were given out to several people, including CNN journalist Anderson Cooper and Sean Penn, who has been managing a camp for internally displaced people. The French ambassador joked that it was important to acknowledge the powerful neighbor to the north, as no French citizen or group – or for that matter, Cuban or Venezuelan – received a medal.
Haiti Relief Is Not Charity: A Rights-Based Approach to Aid
July 20, 2010 - By Kerry Kennedy and Monika Kalra Varma
Haiti's January 2010 earthquake left more than 230,000 dead, 300,000-plus injured, 1.5 million homeless and physically leveled 28 of 29 government ministries. In response, the international community pledged 5.5 billion dollars in aid to rebuild Haiti. Today, only 10 percent of the promised funding has reached its shores.
Noam Chomsky: US role in Haiti destruction July 18, 2010
Noam Chomsky shares his insights regarding the ongoing problems confronting the beleaguered nation of Haiti, particularly the US role minimizing and undermining their economic development, resulting in horrendous destruction and loss of at least 300,000 lives from the recent earthquake. A lively Q and A session follows the talk.
Thousands in Haiti march on Aristide's birthday
July 18, 2010 - By Randall White
Starting at the gates of former Haitian President Jean Bertrand Aristide's residence in Tabarre, yesterday, thousands of Lavalas supporters began their spirited ten-mile march and demonstration ending up at the collapsed National Palace in Haiti's capital. Along the way, thousands more joined the march as it passed the Aristide Foundation, turned west along the north-side of the airport past the strong and supporting neighborhoods of Sarthe and Cite Soleil. Finally, the march headed downtown through the Aristide stronghold of Bel-Air past the earthquake devastation of the National Cathedral and back down the hill to join the masses camped out in front of the National Palace to bring their demands. The crowd was estimated to be 7-8 thousand before it arrived at the Palace.
The Political Roadblocks to Haiti's Reconstruction
July 18, 2010 - By Yves Engler
Six months ago a devastating earthquake killed more than 230,000 Haitians. About 100,000 homes were completely destroyed, alongside a thousand schools and many other buildings. The scenes of devastation filled TV screens around the world.
Too early for medals in Haiti July 18, 2010 - By Sebastian Walker
Six months to the day since the earthquake, Edmond Mulet, the UN mission chief in Haiti, and assorted celebrities, politicians and NGO officials were at the presidential palace receiving medals for their role in the country's recovery effort. On the same sweltering morning, Al Jazeera was in the Champ de Mars camp opposite the palace grounds.
UWI ready to support Haitian students July 18, 2010
The University of the West Indies (UWI) is in full support of assisting Haiti by taking in 50 Haitian students to study at the three campuses of the university.
Outstanding Contribution of Cuba to Haiti July 18, 2010
Marjorie Michel, Haiti's Minister for Women and the Rights of Women, highlighted the solidarity and assistance from Cuba to her country for over ten years and in diverse fields.
Two per cent to Haiti not enough July 18, 2010 - By Ronald Sanders
A fake Internet website, purporting to be a government of France website, recently caused a stir for at least 24 hours when it announced that the government "is repaying the historic debt of 90 million gold francs Haiti paid to France following the former's independence at the dawn of the 19th century". Even the BBC was taken in, carrying the story on one of its official news websites before hastily withdrawing it.
France Threatens Legal Action over Haiti Reparations Hoax
July 18, 2010 - By democracynow.org
The French government says it's considering legal action against the perpetrators of an internet hoax that claimed France would repay the billions of dollars it took from Haiti for an indemnity dating back to the nineteenth century. France forced Haiti to pay the so-called "reparations" of 90 million gold francs up until the Second World War to cover its financial losses from the Haitian uprising against foreign colonization. In a video falsely attributed to the French Foreign Ministry, an actor posing as a French government spokesperson said the money would be given back.
Fault Lines - Haiti: Six months on July 13, 2010
Six months after the earthquake that killed up to 300,000 people, the dust is starting to settle over Port-au-Prince. As it does, the deep wounds that fracture this country are re-emerging, more gaping than even before.
