Haitians deserve a chance to thrive

The earthquake that caused widespread death and almost completely reduced the capital city of Haiti to rubble two weeks ago, didn’t only kill more than 200,000 people, including many Americans – and injured thousands more – it exposed the world to Haiti’s extreme poverty.

A continuing $10 text message campaign has caused many Americans to see beyond

their own needs to raise more than $10 million. A Haiti relief Friday night, produced in part by telethon that aired Friday night, produced in part by actor George Clooney, collected upwards of $57 million to aid survivors and a rebuilding effort.

The silver lining is Haiti and her surviving citizens have a second chance. But experts who have worked in the country warn that money could be wasted if Haiti’s underlying issues aren’t first addressed. Anthropologists say soil erosion is the country’s main culprit, caused by the loss of agriculture on its steep slopes, not to mention haphazardly constructed buildings.

Haitians interviewed in Port-au-Prince have told reporters to not give foreign aid to the Haitian government, rather allow a non-governmental organization to handle disbursements and oversee projects.

It’s a tricky balancing act of goodwill by relief organizations on where money will be used the wisest, and who will hold the purse strings.

I hope for the Haitian people and for those who are giving so generously, and to honor the lives lost, this disaster proves to be a turning point in stemming off the poverty that has plagued this nation since it won its independence from France in 1803.

– Kelly Ruhoff

Editor