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The Belfast man who still sees a future for Haiti
Friday, 12 February 2010
Dominic MacSorley from Concern has helped create designated 'safe areas' for children in Haiti
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January 12 marked the darkest day for a country whose history has been blighted by despotic rule, crippling poverty and natural disasters.
Dominic MacSorley, from Belfast, is the emergency director for Concern in Haiti. He has spoken to the Belfast Telegraph about the current situation and what the future holds for the devastated island.
He said: “In the early days the focus was on search and rescue. This has now shifted to trying to ensure that everyone — one million people — have something to sleep under and sufficient food and water. Unfortunately we are not there yet.”
Concern is one of about 400 organisations distributing aid in and around the capital, Port-au-Prince, which was worst hit by the huge earthquake.
Mr MacSorley said: “Everywhere you go there are queues. People are lining up to receive basic packages — blankets, toothpaste, towels, water purification tablets.
“Everyone needs these things but many still do not have them”.
The distribution of aid is a huge logistical challenge. Concern has developed a registration process to ensure that it is distributed fairly and to those who need it the most.
However, it has been forced to enlist the support of the military as crime rises and gangs re-emerge.
“The longer the situation goes on the more desperate people become. Gangs and violence were a problem in Haiti before all this but now the aid supplies have become a target for mobs.”
Another complication to the aid effort is the imminent rainy season. Thousands are still without sufficient shelter and a shortage of sanitation facilities. Plans to build more latrines have been delayed by a shortage of building ground and the city is becoming increasingly congested as the 240,000 people who fled to the countryside begin to return.
As well as distributing aid Concern has developed a number of programmes across the city, including child-friendly spaces and cash-for-work schemes.
In designated ‘safe’ areas toys, books and structured play are provided for up to 800 children each day.
The spaces will also act as a kind of crèche as mothers queue up for supplies or look for jobs.
The men’s work programme will employ up to 10,000 people in manual jobs, such as street cleaning. This will give people buying power and will also assist in the clear-up and eventual reconstruction of the city.
When this rebuild finally begins it is vital that structures are made to withstand any future tremors.
Mr MacSorley said that, with 10 to 15% more investment, buildings could be constructed to be virtually earthquake-proof.
“We want to build Haiti up to a higher level than before and we must look at the medium and longer-term as part of a strategy for its future.
“It will be 10 or maybe 20 years but one month on and the message is clear — the spirit of Haiti is not buried under the rubble, it is back fighting strong.”
Background
Haiti has issued wildly conflicting death tolls for the January 12 earthquake, adding to confusion about how many actually died — and to suspicion that nobody really knows.
Two days after Communications Minister Marie-Laurence Jocelyn Lassegue raised the official toll to 230,000, her office put out a statement quoting President Rene Preval as saying 270,000 bodies had been hastily buried by the government following the earthquake. A press officer withdrew the statement but re-issued it within minutes. Later, the ministry said that the number should have read 170,000.
Yesterday, Mr Preval said the number was 170,000, apparently referring to the bodies in mass graves. Interrupting, Ms Lassegue said the official number was 210,000. Mr Preval said: “She doesn't know what she's talking about.”
How you can help
The Disasters Emergency Committee – the umbrella organisation for 13 aid agencies including the British Red Cross and Oxfam – has launched an emergency appeal to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake.
If you would like to make a donation, please call 0370 60 60 900 or visit www.dec.org.uk
Emergency hotlines
- Concern Worldwide: 0800 032 4002
- ActionAid: www.actionaid.org.uk or 01460 238000
- Christian Aid: www.christianaid.org.uk/haiti-appeal or 08080 004 004
- Merlin: www.merlin.org.uk or 0207 014 1714
- Oxfam: www.oxfamireland.org or 0800 0 30 40 55
- British Red Cross: www.redcross.org.uk/ or 0845 053 5353
- Save the Children: 020 7012 6400
Video: Oxfam provide emergency aid in Haiti
Oxfam is providing clean water, sanitation and shelter to tens of thousands of people affected by the earthquake.
Video: Moments after the earthquake struck capital
A Brazilian soldier stationed in Port-au-Prince captured the scene of devastation just moments after the quake struck.
Video: Aerial view of the devastation
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Comments
31 Comments
If the people who have posted comments represent the American people, I woud say that there is something terribly worong is going on! deeply divided nation! bad manners! lack of information! overly judgemental attitudes! I wish they do not represent the American people. Certainly there are few exceptions.
Posted by Veracity | 19.02.10, 10:58 GMT
Increasing funding should enhance the effectiveness of charities, rather than make the administration more comfortable at the receiving end. When we are over the hump, we will need to pose the question as to why charities which we all subscribe to are performing in such a badly disorganised way on the ground.
Posted by Malachy McAnespie | 12.02.10, 12:26 GMT
this is really sad and im glade we are doing a lot of things to help them ((:
Posted by erica | 05.02.10, 17:41 GMT
Had the USA not been stealing 40% of the Haitian GDP since the 50's and had it not been dumping surplus agricultural products at prices which forced Hatian farmers off their land perhaps Haiti would not be one of the worlds poorest countries.Most of the buildings in Haiti are cinder block but because the gov backed by the USA had little concern for building codes these buildings had no steel support structures usually found in cinder block construction causing the wide spread collapse of buildings leading to the high death toll. The USA has raped the Hatian people in order to maintain a tame and weak corridor between Cuba AND themselves. When it was discovered by the USA that the president they put in charge of the country had stolen nearly$70 million from the treasury he was sent into excile very quietly to france and his just as corrupt son was put in his place. It is only right that the gov and the USA dig deep into their pockets sing their songs sell their cd's and make things righ
Posted by Bruce south africa | 02.02.10, 03:30 GMT
I am proud of USA and allies as they strugle to surpass each other to aid Haiti people. It is a wonder that such compassion and kindness should be displayed by a country that others look at a tyrants, based on their activities in Iraq and Afganistan. Keep it up. They world looks onto you for relief!
Posted by Ahmad Sa'id | 30.01.10, 14:20 GMT
All the recriminations, finger pointing and xenophobic comments back and forth are prime examples of not only way the aid effort was slow in proper organisation, but is a perfect example of what is wrong in the world today. Ordinary people, from the French, Americans, British, et al are what is making a difference n the ground. If you would stop expending much energy on negativity and more on positive action the world would be a much better place. Fact: The Cubans are working with the US and letting flights fly over to get to Haiti. Fact 2 there is only one runway in Haiti designed for no more than 5 flights a day. Naturally trying to get in 150 flights will not go easy and many flights will be delayed. Let alone the fact that there is not enough jet flue to re fuel the planes when they get there. The devastation is so great that even the best co-ordinated effort would not be enough help.
Posted by human being | 25.01.10, 16:47 GMT
I would be ashamed to be an American right now!
Posted by Marianne | 22.01.10, 11:22 GMT
****************************
Marianne,
What a stupid and ignorant comment!
I suspect that there are 300+ million people who are happy that you are not American!
Now maybe if you would get off your backside and do something, instead of finger pointing at those who are trying to help, then maybe the poor people of Haiti would benefit?
Posted by Edward | 23.01.10, 17:25 GMT
I am from Indiana (originally New York), and the government here can never get anything done quickly, I agree. Fortunately, though, the Red Cross set up a way to send a text and be billed $10. I've been promoting that on my FaceBook page. There are LOTS of churches, including mine (Mormon) that are taking it upon themselves to send aid by ship (easiest way in) or to gather people together and go down there. It's quite extraordinary. So, remember that the American people are busting their butts to help. The government is NEVER what it should be, nor is it representative, at many times, of what we actually want (regardless of ruling party).
Posted by Carolynn ni Lochlainn | 23.01.10, 15:55 GMT
By now, everyone in the world....knows how the string-pullers in the USA operate. They (and their good friends in Israel) will have the entire planet for their financial supremacy.
Is there a "fix" possible? I believe that it's too late.
Posted by Ferdinand | 23.01.10, 14:02 GMT
All money should come from the people of usa not the goverment
Posted by DJA | 23.01.10, 07:39 GMT
hati i love ya an i will do anything to help you get help!god will be there for you and i will pray for ya everyday!
Posted by kalima | 23.01.10, 02:55 GMT
To Marianne, you are very ignorant. Are you actually there in Haiti? The US has provided the most aid to Haiti out of all the other countries. I cannot walk around the corner without seeing some kind of fundraiser for Haiti's cause. Interesting to see you bash the US as if we are actually obligated to handle problems all over the world. We have our own problems too. I am thankful for how all the countries have come together and help Haiti. I think YOU make me sick.
Posted by Angelica | 23.01.10, 02:54 GMT
Project Seal? Brilliant, if true. In any event, several years down the road, look to see if the financial/banking sector operates in the same way it had prior to the earthquake. Haitian banks are apparently used by the badniks of the world to launder their ill-gotten lucre. Sometimes, events occur because a stern warning wasn't enough. Man-made event? The A-bomb was science fiction at one point, wasn't it?
Posted by Randy Silver | 23.01.10, 00:36 GMT
I am seeing nothing being done for these poor people but the numpties at the top who are supposed to be helping these people clearly are not doing enough! Makes me sick that these people have already suffered so much and are being made to suffer even more because of the uselessness of the US government and their disastrous aid effort! I would be ashamed to be an American right now!
Posted by Marianne | 22.01.10, 11:22 GMT
Am I missing something here? Has anyone been watching the news? The “so called” help that the US government are blethering on about has still not even got to these poor people and as of yesterday we were 9 days into the disaster! Does anyone remember New Orleans and what happened there and the farcical help mission the US laid on there also? Where is all their help and aid etc for Haiti? The US government are using this crisis for their own agenda which is they want to own Haiti after this! I was sickened by the news when I watched it and could not believe that people were lying in the streets , some not even on a stretcher and there was a mentally ill man just lying on the muddy ground fitting which was heart-breaking to see! The aid is not getting through, why? That’s what I would like to know! What is stopping the useless US from getting their wonderful help through? We are still being asked to donate etc but will that be the same and not get through either?Contd.....
Posted by Marianne | 22.01.10, 11:21 GMT
Haiti is the pooresst country in the norther hemishphere. And that includes all of Latin America and the Orient.
The Haitians all want to emigrate to the United states. And many of them will.
Posted by david wayne osedach | 22.01.10, 02:11 GMT
Go Read,
Usually when people are up against the truth they resort to name calling, and you are no exception. I won't lower myself to your level.
However, I don't remember reading too much about about thousands of people trying to "emigrate" TO Cuba if it is such a wonderful place. It seems like the traffic is always going the other way.
Do many of us a favor, get on a plane and give our best to Castro!
"Hundreds of doctors", what a joke!
Posted by Edward | 21.01.10, 16:38 GMT
Actually Cuba has the lowest infant mortality rate in the world! Their health care system is brilliant!
Posted by teacher | 21.01.10, 11:41 GMT
Edward you are badly informed. You say Cuba can't take care of their own population but previously you asked why they were not helping. Haha. See the problem there? They are helping of course! Haiti has had Cuban doctors there long before this quake struck and they have sent hundreds more. They kindly opened airspace to the US. As for taking care of their own people - Cuba actually has one doctor per 175 people. Compare with UK - 1 per 600! It provides some of the best free healthcare in the world to its people. Cuba has a long history of sending real humanitarian aid. After the 2005 Pakistan earthquake for example - Cuba also sent hundreds of doctors - who then returned. They also gave field hospitals and then 1,000 scholarships to Pakistani students for studying medicine in Cuba. The Pakistan president said they helped more than any other nation! And they were honored with awards from Pakistan to reflect this. They didn't even have good relations with Pakistan! Sorry Ed, you are just an ignorant fool.
Posted by Go Read | 20.01.10, 16:54 GMT
Jed Ray,
Not sure what planet you are living on?
"Cuba has opened it's air space and sent hundreds of doctors..." Wow, what a great country. By the way, Cuba doesn't have hundreds of doctors to send. They can't even take care off their own population. Lets see how many of them go back to Cuba when things get back to normal..
Zuton,
Just wait until some of these charitable group start having their people robbed, raped and killed and you, and your ilk, will be screaming loud: "Where were the Marines?".
Posted by Edward | 19.01.10, 15:49 GMT
31 Comments