In a recent news report, CBS followed the money from 4 large aid organizations donated to assist in the relief efforts following the Haitian earthquake. We are now 4 months post event. Tens of thousands are living in shelters made only of tarps suspended on wooden poles. I have personally seen pictures and video of rains and how they affect this type of housing structure. I have seen small rivers running through these refugee compounds and people living under plastic that we would use to wrap a new couch in.
Yet the Red Cross has received $444 million dollars. Care has received $24 million, Catholic Relief $165 million and the Clinton Bush foundation $52 million for a total of $685 million dollars for t he relief efforts. How much has been spent now 4 months later? $135.75 million. Less than 1/5 of what has come in to these large organization.
Even allowing for the fact that it is reasonable to hold back some money for longer term efforts over time, the enormity of the suffering that continues each minute of the day in Haiti requires these organizations to do more than what they have done to bring relief to the Haitians. Relief should have been accomplished in the first 8 weeks at the most. Stable and safe housing, sanitation, access to food and water and clothing are the immediate needs addressed by disaster relief. Yet over 200,000 people still remain displaced in horrific conditions, making their way each day as they can. The refugee camps are reported to be unsafe with women expecially being brutalized and exploited. Stealing is common. Sanitation is virtually non existent. The first case of diphtheria occurred in one of the camps just this week. More is likely to come later.
Why are we not holding these organization accountable for the use of the money that was given to provide immediate relief to the Haitian and to appease their suffering? 80% of the funds remain unspent, now 4 months post earthquake. 80% of the money we gave to help these people.
It is commonly accepted that the Haitian government can make red tape bureaucracy of this country look like a walk in the park. However, even with the difficulties that exist in working directly with the government, the large aid organizations could restructure their funding to allow smaller non profits with more grass root contacts to apply for grants for housing projects, transitional and permanent. Other supplies like beds, latrines and household water filtration systems are easily distributed. But no plan exists that anyone is aware of to begin this.
The Haitians have suffered much in their lives. Many call them resilient. And that would be appropriate. However, giving up isn’t an option unless they want to end up dead. The lazy in Haiti don’t survive. To see children walking in waist deep water through a shanty town made up of tarp structures that are nearly falling down is more that heartbreaking. It is inhuman and should not be tolerated.
I return to Haiti next week for the first time since my own first response relief work in January. Our organization has spent about 45% of the money designated for relief efforts to date. I am returning as part of the accountability structure of our organization to meet with people and talk with them in person about how the situation is for them and how they have used the funds we have designated for their food, water, shelter and other necessities.
We need to hold the aid agencies accountable for their lack of providing immediate relief now 4 months later. And lend support to the smaller non profits who stabilize Haiti on a good day before the earthquake and are now the mainstay of the day to day work to just help the Haitians survive until tomorrow.
