As report after report comes in from Haiti, the media repeatedly tells its stunned public that there is “no equipment available anywhere” to dig out the victims and no help in sight. The Haitians only hope, the media tells us, is the philanthropic generosity of Western nations.
Palais des Minstere
The help of international aid organizations as well as that of wealthier governments is indeed needed. However the widespread assumption that the Haitians themselves have nothing to offer in their own relief effort is misguided.
While many Haitians have been devastated by this most recent natural disaster, many more Haitians, on the island and abroad, not only are ready to help, but have the training and resources to do so. Yet despite many requests to government agencies, institutions and philanthropic organizations, a multitude of Haitians find themselves being denied the ability to help.
Eglise Sacrecoeur
Haitians with disaster relief and medical training are posed to be the most effective in the relief effort. With knowledge of the island, as well as familiarity with the people and the language, they have the ability to offer a level of support in the relief effort that foreign relief workers are simply not in the position to provide.
This is not to say that foreign relief workers are not needed or are unwanted, in fact, they are desperately needed. But it is to say that governments sending aid workers, particularly the United States, should prioritize sending Haitian relief workers who can provide critical support to those who are unfamiliar with the island.
Today my father sent me an email that illustrated the full extent of what Haitian Americans have to offer:
Haitian American Engineers Eager to Make a Difference in Haiti
Haitian American engineers with experience in disasters and the use of heavy equipment on the ground in Haiti are ready to go back to our country to help. However, since the airport is closed to commercial airline traffic we are stuck in the United States.
Our team includes:
- US Certified Professional Engineers with FEMA disaster experience (Katrina, Gustav & Ike), current FEMA badges and Security Clearance
- Licensed builders fluent in French, Creole, English and Spanish
- Staging sites and lodging in Haiti
- Heavy Equipment on the ground in Haiti (in close proximity to the UN and US Embassy), including
- Bulldozers
- Heavy Cranes
- Heavy Trucks
- Backhoes
- Proven government work experience in Haiti (US Embassy building)
We are in a position to help RIGHT NOW, before the international community arrives on the scene, and can do the work that will save many lives…. Yet, despite calls to the US State Department, to our congresspersons (Meeks, Conyers, Levin), and to USAID we have not been heard.
Contact me a discovereastferry@gmail.com
While they are waiting to mobilize, roads can be cleared and people can be removed from the rubble. Haitian people with the necessary experience can be doing the work while waiting for others to come in.
Going forward, as you contact your local, state and federal government representatives encouraging them to contribute to the relief effort, fight for the ability of Haitian American relief workers to get back to their country as well. In this time of great need, their resources are essential. Help them, help their country.
peace.
a
Haiti 2007
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