Debt relief and sustainablity

The challenges in Haiti continue. Last night I participated in a conference call sponsored by ONE.org. Speakers on the call included Former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist who went to Haiti to perform badly needed surgeries. He traveled with Samaritan’s Purse (a faith based organization that helps around the world in times of need). Other participants included Representative Gregory Meeks of NY, Dr. Joia Mukherjee, Medical Director from Partners in Health, and David Melter of the American Red Cross.

The call began with each of the speakers providing a 5 minute summary of their role in the disaster/relief effort in Haiti. There was also a discussion about debt relief for the Haitian government which would allow the funds that are pouring into Haiti to be used for rebuilding the country. Towards the end of the call, several callers were able to ask questions about the relief efforts in Haiti.

Each of the speakers offered an interesting perspective. Dr. Mukherjee from Partners in Health, however, was articulate, accurate and honest about the struggles of the Haitian people. She profoundly stated “Haiti is not a poor country, Haiti is an impoverished country.” She discussed the economic isolation that Haiti has experienced over the years including the US aid embargo imposed between 2000 and 2004. She encouraged the listeners to realize that solutions for Haiti need to come from the Haitian people.

She spoke of the success of Partners in Health spearheaded by Paul Farmer, MD. All of the permanent employees of Partners in Health in the central plateau are Haitian. Partners in Health has worked for years to enable to public sector involvement and organize/mobilize participatory members of Haitian society. Because of this amazing work, PIH was able to establish 20 operating rooms in and around Port au Prince within three days of the earthquake. This effort was successful because of the partnerships that have been forged within the community of Haiti.

There is a great deal of discussion about rebuilding a sustainable Haiti. Hopefully, we have learned from past efforts to re-forest Haiti. The forgotten piece was that Haitians use charcoal as their primary source of fuel. The re-forestation effort lacked sustainability as alternative fuel sources and education were neglected. If a person is in survival mode and they need charcoal, they will harvest trees.

Partners in Health has been successful because of its efforts to enable the Haitian government and mobilize the people of the central plateau to create a sustainable solution for treating TB, malaria and AIDS. Hopefully, more organizations will follow suit. Think of it, the prime growing season begins in about two months. What if organizations provided the farmers in the countryside with seed, fertilizer, and knowledge about irrigation to enable Haitians to help develop an economy and feed hungry Haitians.

And so, today I urge those of you that are politically inclined to contact your representatives and encourage the work of Maxine Waters and Gregory Meeks for the treasury to cancel Haiti’s debt. When sharing your generosity in dollars or service to help Haiti, please remember to look for organizations that have missions of sustainability. This is the hope for Haiti.

Nawe,
Charlotte and Robert