By Daniel Smith
Special to LE FLORIDIEN
As much as the tide of events in recent times has proven to be gritted in Haiti’s grains, the current turnout of things could be an opportunity for the country to claim some of its unfulfilled dreams. Alongside the country’s lineage of turmoil, the year 2020 came bearing more waves of disasters, but it has also opened a door that would lead Haitians to the promised land if used proficiently. And this is why there is need for a wake-up call to Haitians, and the exceptionally well-to-do Haitians, in the diaspora. Before that, here are the shambles of the country.
Haiti’s sores are still unhealed
The country’s history of repression and distress can be traced back to forever. A significant milestone to start the track from is the imminently disastrous 7.0 earthquake that wrecked Haiti in January 2010. With a victim approximation of 3 million, the 2010 earthquake made it to the top as the most crushing catastrophe ever to hit Haiti. A report from World Vision recorded that approximately 250,000 lives were lost, and 300,000 people were injured. Another one and a half million citizens were forced to become immigrants displaced in different camps. In the same report, it was stated that the poorly constructed buildings in Port-au-Prince helped the earthquake to become a bigger disaster as the buildings collapsed easily and became tombstones to people who once called the place home.
Meanwhile, in 2016, Hurricane Mathew, recorded amongst many other recurring disasters, also threw Haiti into a cataclysm. Many years after the disasters mentioned above, Haiti is still yet to recover from the incurred injuries, including the destruction of infrastructures and limited access to resources, amongst many others.
The country’s decadent democracy continues.
If Haiti’s situation and the progress of things are to be observed, it could be said that the country is accursed with a fate of distress. First, the menace of its weak political institution continues, and it only worsens the situation of other sectors, which include the economy and education, amongst others. In the Transparency International’s 2019 corruption perception index, Haiti tops the list as the second most corrupt country in the western hemisphere, after the country has been observed as one of the world’s underdeveloped countries due to the menace of social and economic insecurity, which is worsened by the instability of the country’s political institution. Another analysis by the center for strategic and international studies stated that the breakdown of Haiti’s national governance has made it difficult to create solutions for the country’s issues, which notably includes systemic corruption. “Corruption permeates all sectors of Haitian governance.” The analysis stated as it also recorded that the country had inherited grim governance from the lineage of its political leaders since the 1980s.
The covid-19 menace
Given the fact that the coronavirus is a pandemic that brought the global world down to its knees, Haiti tried against the outbreak. Still, there was no way a country already weakened by environmental disasters and social insecurities could uphold its defenses. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) disclosed that more than in any other country, the pandemic is a critical thing in Haiti because of its unique challenges. It was established that health shocks have significant adverse impacts on Haitian households. Due to limited incomes and access to finances, Haitians living in poverty find it extremely hard to cover health expenses. More so, the highest percentage of Haitians earn through casual jobs and access to amenities is disparate. Because of the points stated above, it was difficult to establish a complete lockdown to measure against the pandemic.
Where a nation is struck to its knees by big disasters, little distresses get to take it for a ride.
Haiti is currently facing a series of other institutional breakdowns as a repercussion of unstable governance and natural disasters. Amidst it all, Haiti failed to hold elections in October, and the poor state of the country’s political situation has created a rift between it and prospective funding. The protests also crippled many social activities, as it seems they could be heading towards a meltdown. On the other hand, there is a move to deport thousands of immigrants who have been living in the diaspora for years. But all hope is not lost.
New developments could be in Haiti’s favor
The results of America’s 2020 election, which pronounced Biden as the new head of state has given the Haitian community a sympathetic ear. With the fact that the community lent his victory support, Biden seems to be a promising chance for Haitians. The president-elect, before the election was held, laid bare his plans and promised to be a ‘president of every citizen.’ Joe Biden had acclaimed that the community has even chances and would be able to progress towards realizing incredible potentials.
With the recent turnout of things, Haitians have their hopes raised as they look forward to reaping from the Democrat’s rule.
A call to Haitians in the diaspora
With the country’s dilapidated state, the biggest hope for salvage lies in the critical developmental roles played to curtail the continuing systematic corruption and failure. Haitians in the diaspora should liaise and form good policies to create and nourish a working relationship between them and the country’s government and civil organizations. It is dire that Haitians in the diaspora put a hand in economic development and politics, which will fortify social programs like poverty alleviation.
Finance expert, Jean-Marc Cuvilly, specified that Haiti’s major problem is the lack of employment even though people are willing to work. He then administered the establishment of supports for small and medium businesses as a measure against unemployment.
Conclusion
It has been noted that Haiti’s problem does not lie in the success rigged in the diaspora. Instead, the fruits of those same successes should be reaped and brought back to the country itself. The country’s political system has to be taken over by capable leaders who are driven only towards the welfare of Haitians. Also, it is dire to invest in the country to salvage what is left of it.
