The aftermath of a quake: a Marshall Plan for Haiti?

The news of the earthquake in Haiti has reached far and near, and almost everyone around the world has reacted to it in one way or the other. While some choose to just share in the agony of the families who have lost beloved ones, others have gone steps ahead to give generously to support the needy.

There still remains discrepancies in death tolls, but it is estimated that the quake has killed between 217,000 and 230,000 people, with about 250,000 houses and 30,000 commercial buildings having collapsed.
In the latest news, a 28-year-old man, who had been buried under the wreckage since Jan. 12, was found after almost a month. At the time the man was pulled out, he appeared not to have suffered major injuries but he was emaciated and dehydrated. This appears to be a miracle of some sort as not many could survive even two weeks without food and water. But along with these miracles are the many Haitians who only live and pray that the next day will bring them their daily bread. Many people are demanding more, yet there is so much need that not everyone will be satisfied with the provision given.
Feb. 11 revealed the need to get permanent and more rain-friendly shelter for the homeless as heavy rain collapsed cardboard shacks, soaking clothing and bedding at the Marassa 14 camp. Most of the 1.2 million people that are estimated to be living in temporary camps across Haiti dwell in simple structures made of bed sheets and plastic sheeting. As the country's rainy season approaches within weeks, officials would be expected to find shelter that can withstand the tropical downpour.

Although all the donations, relief efforts and other ad-hoc measures are very much needed in such a time, there seem to be the constant need of a plan that can sustain the people and their country for the future. Canada is expected to play a bigger role in such efforts.

"With all the attention and dollars directed at Haiti, I think there should be good prospects for long-term recovery in that country," said Dr. Hevina Dashwood, an international relations professor at Brock University. "The US has a somewhat checkered past in Haiti, but Canada can and should play a leading role in stabilizing the country; it is our second-largest aid recipient, and we already have much experience in and knowledge of the country."

It is now common knowledge that Haiti is one of the most impoverished countries in the world, particularly the poorest in the Western hemisphere. The paradox is that it has the highest number of Non-Governmental Agencies (NGOs), which in most cases are considered to fill in the 'gap' of development and make provisions towards socio-economic development in cases where governments fall short. The Haitian case is however different.

"There does seem to be a real problem with too many NGOs, not well-coordinated, and duplicating services, while at the same time many Haitians are still not receiving any aid," said Dashwood.

Some argue NGOs will be more effective when they work more closely with the grassroot population while others have spoken of the likes of the Marshall Plan of 1947 which was used to rebuild some European countries after World War II. But the Haitian case is quite different, and perhaps a bit more complex.

"Unfortunately, with its background of political unrest, and number of coups over the last 200 years [more than 30] it is of little wonder that its development has been stultified to the extent that it has been," said Nancy Stefureak a political science professor at Brock University. "Obviously, such development struggles lead to an inability to effectively deal with natural disasters the like of which just occurred."

Although Stefureak thinks the name "Marshall Plan" might have a "pseudo-imperialism" connotation, to ensure Haiti's sustainable development there will be the need for a firm international commitment for reconstruction.

Development is multi-dimensional and while it is good to keep giving money, it is equally prudent to find how the people can sustain themselves when this money is exhausted. Many ideas have been thrown into the bucket for Haiti, and the international community is trying its best to lift the country up from ruins but one of the foremost things to do will be to forgive the country of its debts.

"It seems to me that Haiti will only be able to achieve a modicum of its development goals if debt relief is embraced by the international community," said Stefureak. She noted that Haiti's history of political instability, coupled with corruption, hampers the state's ability to deliver the goods the people need.

"The big challenge will be addressing the problems of governance in Haiti, and any sort of international effort - say through Bill Clinton's role with the UN or any other scheme - will have to balance the need to at least appear to be respecting the wishes of the Haitian government, while overcoming the many real and serious obstacles to effective governance in that country," said Dashwood.