Thread: The Truth about Haiti’s Suffering

The Truth about Haiti’s Suffering


by Finian Cunningham
Global Research
January 14, 2010


Even in its hour of utter devastation, Haiti, the western hemisphere’s poorest country, teaches the rest of the world some valuable truths.

This Caribbean island nation of nine million people has right now a third of its population cut off from basic supplies of food, water, medicine or shelter. In the blink of an eye, the earthquake that hit the country has buried a capital city of three million people under rubble for which the eventual death toll may be between 100,000 and 500,000. Just like that.

Like shutting the proverbial stable door after the horse has bolted, the US and other world powers are promising to send emergency aid to Haiti. Well intentioned no doubt. But where was the aid and economic development assistance to Haiti – over half the population live on $1 a day and 80 per cent are classed as poor – in the years before this calamity?

Haiti’s poverty – as for other poor countries hit by natural disasters – leaves its people wide open to the kind of devastation that has befallen them. And make no mistake, Haiti’s poverty is not just bad luck or something inherently faulty about its natural resources and people. The country has been kept underdeveloped by decades of political and economic interference from Washington to ensure that this former slave colony continues to serve as a cheap source of agricultural exports to the US and as a labour sweatshop for American corporations making textiles and other consumer goods.

While Washington spends $1,000 billion on wars allegedly to combat the threat of terrorism, Haiti’s poor – whose country’s economy is valued at $7 billion – show us a sobering perspective on what a real threat to life looks like. We live in a physical world where floods, tsunamis, earthquakes happen. These disasters claim multiple more lives than the threats that the US is fixated on and spends multiples more money on. Can you imagine how many lives could have been saved in Haiti’s earthquake if a fraction of the money squandered on futile wars had been directed to economic and social development of that country?

Of course, the moral and sensible logic of that idea does not apply in a world dictated by Washington’s foreign policy. This is because of the imperatives and logic of US-led capitalism, which requires countries like Haiti to be kept in a state of poverty for the sake of corporate profit and which requires the fixation on illusionary threats to cover up its need to control geopolitical resources (mainly energy). This is the true face of the economic system that Washington and its allies impose on the world. And Haiti has pulled the mask of this ugly face.

The harrowing anguish and suffering of Haiti teaches us something else. Heart-rending reports of streets filled with corpses and blood running from under rubble, children crying for parents, parents digging with their fingers for children, the sound of dying voices pervading the darkness of night. This is the horror of hundreds of thousands of people suddenly engulfed by suffering. Some observers have compared what has happened in Haiti to the aftermath of an atom bomb being dropped. So the next time, Washington spokespeople airily float plans on Sunday morning chat shows to obliterate Iran – that other “serious threatâ€

Excuse me, but since when is the US responsible for every poor country in the universe? We are not the world's mama!

We already have the most refugees from around the world, along with millions squatting here that come from one of the wealthiest countries.

Why hasn't the Dominican Republic opened its border and let in Haitian refugees? Why hasn't mexico? Lord knows we have tons of illegal aliens from both here. We have no more room and no more money.

Not only is the US providing money and supplies, but our citizens are also digging deep in these hard times. What the hell else do you want?

Originally Posted by miguelina

Excuse me, but since when is the US responsible for every poor country in the universe? We are not the world's mama!

We already have the most refugees from around the world, along with millions squatting here that come from one of the wealthiest countries.

Why hasn't the Dominican Republic opened its border and let in Haitian refugees? Why hasn't mexico? Lord knows we have tons of illegal aliens from both here. We have no more room and no more money.

Not only is the US providing money and supplies, but our citizens are also digging deep in these hard times. What the hell else do you want?

As I was reading this, and as my blood was beginning to boil and my brain was stuttering trying to formulate a response that would accurately express my indignation at the audacity of the above piece of crap (no offense intended to the original poster, as I appreciate getting the information), I scrolled down to begin the attempt, and found that I did not need to do so, as you have done an excellent job. To which I will simply add "Ditto"!

Have you considered posting to your response to actual article if it will allow comments?

Thanks Miguelina, job well done.

On that note, I would also like to see a comparison of the aid sent by the USA to New Orleans vs. that sent to Haiti (when all is said and done, of course).

It is high time we concentrate on taking care of our own here at home. That is after all, where charity begins. Or at least it should.

Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere; it also is the most corrupt. A very few wealthy and powerful individuals, their families, and followers wield power over the rest of the population, which lives in abject poverty. Any aid sent by the United States to "Haiti" meant further enriching this small group to the exclusion of those Haitians really in need. Tragically, unless the earthquate aid being sent from around the world is administered and dispensed by a third, impartial agency, it is unlikely that the majority of those in Port au Prince will receive much benefit from it - most of it will go, once more, to be stockpiled by Haiti's corrupt leaders and ruling class, probably to be sold back to the general population at high prices at a later date.

Thanks Melena29, I didn't see a comments section at the link.

Texas2Step, good points. Hopefully, this time may be different since government offices were affected also. The Red Cross is who I give money to and Salvation Army I give clothing, etc.. They will need clothing, shoes, basic necessities. The people in Haiti don't need money now, they need supplies to survive. Can't buy them in Haiti, so have to be shipped.