Inaction

A ruined city

The earthquake exposed to the world just how fragile the state truly was and is. It is true that Port-au-Prince resembles a ruined city; there is no doubt that the living conditions are tenuous and that the 1.2 million people living in tents are incredible vulnerable to flooding and hurricane conditions. Meteorologists expect this to be the most active hurricane season to date, with some 23 tropical storms expected. But remarkably, the city is moving; people have resumed their day to day activities despite the fact that the government and other actors have not adjusted or moved as quickly.

Things are moving albeit slowly

While I was surveying Port-au-Prince, I saw three bulldozers. Two were in use, while one was sitting on the grounds of the National Palace untouched. Rubble has been moved to neat piles on the side of the streets only partially blocking streets. There are stationary dumpster trucks throughout the city and garbage trucks that move throughout the city on regular occasion. I also saw the construction of some transitional housing on the outskirts of the city being produced by Samaritan’s Purse. In addition there is a very visible public service announcement campaign on billboards and radio focused on drinking clean water, sanitation and hygiene. I also saw people working the streets: road crews, street cleaners, trash collectors etc.

But things are not moving fast enough. International donors have been slow to contribute the billions pledged at the March 31 donors conference in NY. So far the government has only received 2% of the 5 billion promised. And the Haitian government is not acting with a sense of urgency as the rains lash down on the island. People need to be moved to safer housing but it doesn't seem like the government wants to fight private land owners; as a result of inaction, people who escaped death in January make well face it this hurricane season.