Congressional Hearing on Haiti

The Subcommittee on the Western hemisphere organized a hearing yesterday on “The Crisis in Haiti: Are We Moving Fast Enough?”

TransAfrica Forum and several other NGO’s had the opportunity to testify and respond to the question, “Are We Moving Fast Enough?” in regards to the Haiti earthquake response. Everyone agreed that despite the quick efforts in Haiti, there are many obstacles slowing down the recovery and reconstruction process. The key problems faced by people living in internally displaced persons camps include: insufficient washing and sanitation facilities, inadequate security, minimal job and education opportunities, and inadequate transitional structures. Also the lack of coordination between NGO’s and Haitian civil society has limited the civil society groups from taking leadership roles in the rebuilding process. The discussion included the need for direct leadership, talents, and expertise from the Haitian diaspora in the recovery, reconstruction, and development process. We should not look towards the Haitians with pity but understand that they are people to be admired. Haitians need to be front and center in the decision making process. All the NGO’s stressed that Haiti must be built for Haitians and by Haitians.

When the earthquake first happened the media was very responsive. Six months later most of the cameras are gone even though suffering continues. I hope that foreign governments and NGO’s will include Haitians more in the decision-making process. In economic development, often, foreign institutions create models for developing countries but they do not address the specific needs of each population.

-OI