What about Haiti?

By anthony sylvestre

History records that the Haitian people are a resilient and strong people. They were the first former European predominantly black colony to become independent, having done so on the 1st January, 1804.

They fought off and exiled from their land, under the leadership of generals like Toussaint L’Ouverture and Dessalines, the Spanish, British and French. Even the famed European 18th century General, Napoleon Bonaparte succumbed to the Haitian strength.

Bonaparte had sent his brother in law Charles Leclerc and 20,000 French soldiers to retake the island following the Haitian Revolution in 1791. Although Leclerc and the French were able to capture L’Ouverture, the Haitian people did not despair. A new leader emerged, Dessalines, who was a long time ally of L’Ouverture and the quest for emancipation and independence continued. Eventually, the Haitian people under Dessalines’ command, defeated the French troops and on the 1st January, 1894, former slaves proclaimed their independence declaring the new nation be named Haiti in honour of the indigenous Taino name for the island.

Haiti, after its independence, was an economic and military force to reckon with in the Americas. The famed South American leader, Simon Bolivar, received military and financial assistance from Haiti. In 1817, Bolivar was provided with soldiers, weapons and financial assistance from Haiti which was vital in enabling him to liberate Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Panama and Peru.

Today we see being transmitted in our homes on television, in the wake of the January 12th, earthquake, heart wrenching images of a nation ravaged with destruction and death. It is estimated that the death toll in this catastrophe could reach 200,000 people. It is an incomprehensible thing for us, a country of 300,000 people, to fathom the incredible resources needed to begin to deal with the disaster in Haiti: the burial and disposal of hundreds of thousands of bodies, the hundreds of thousands of medical supplies, food and water items that are needed. We no doubt feel the sheer pain and sorrow of our brothers and sisters in Haiti. In spite of the difficult economic times, Belizeans are giving what little they have to donate to our Haitian brothers and sisters.

But, while just about every imaginable organization (the Red Cross, schools, the media, churches, NGOs) in Belize is flexing and scurrying around gathering stuff and raising money to donate to our Caribbean sister nation of Haiti, Dean Barrow and his government, like with everything else that matters, has done nothing.

Surely, that flippant press release the government issued last week about “monitoring the situation” cannot be serious: that is a cruel joke and an insult to the Haitian people. Even my little six year old daughter’s primary school class has done a faster and better job of monitoring the situation in Haiti in giving their little donation.  Not a dollar, not a word yet from Barrow.

Compare our government’s response to that of our Caricom colleagues.

Within 48 hours of the earthquake, Jamaican Prime Minister met with the Haitian President in Haiti. Additionally Prime Minister of Barbados and Prime Minister of Dominica (who is the present Chairman of Caricom) were enroute to Haiti but had to stop off at Jamaica as they were unable to land in Haiti because of congestion.

Compare too our government’s response with that of the PUP.

Within 72 hours of the earthquake, PUP Deputy Party Leaders and Area Representatives, Hon. Cordel Hyde and Mark Espat wrote to Barrow proposing that the Belizean Government work with the United Nations to grant refugee status to some Haitian families. This proposal was endorsed by the party at its executive meeting last Saturday and additionally, the PUP has donated $10,000 to the Red Cross. Government has said it will consider the proposal, which really sounds like saying “go to hell.”

So now, after a week of monitoring the situation, the government finally sent out a press release on Monday saying it is pledging the assistance of the BDF.

Now I am trying not to read too much into government’s nonchalance in responding to Haiti, but it is extremely upsetting when you think of the scant regard they have given to the humanitarian efforts in Haiti. Haiti seems to have no place on government’s agenda.
Just about every nation has pledged monetarily to the humanitarian efforts, yet ours has not. Government has said in its press release that it “along with other partners within the country, including the Red Cross, media houses, businesses, churches and private citizen has embarked on various activities to assist the country of Haiti.” What a bold faced lie. Government, again, having done nothing, is trying to claim credit for the commendable efforts of all Belizeans.

Government’s response to Haiti is very telling. It reveals the personality of a government that lacks compassion and empathy. It is true that we here in Belize already know too well that we have a government of pain and sorrow. But, you would have thought that this Prime Minister, who prides himself in maintaining façades, would have done something tangible towards the relief efforts in Haiti, knowing too well that the eyes of the Caribbean and the world are watching.

Helping the people in Haiti won’t help you to win the next general elections, Mr. Prime Minister, but it would have shown Belizeans and the world that you have a heart. It would have disproved your naysayers.

Alas all the naysayers may just be right.

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