If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
If you have something to say...
Say it on the Huffington Post
A stunning, modern teaching hospital with oxygen outlets in the walls is about to open in the town of Mirebalais, Haiti.
As it was explained to us, there are three root causes that lay at the core of malnutrition in the area: a lack of jobs, a lack of education, and lastly, environmental degradation.
Haiti's rates are on par with some of the world's highest burdened countries and ranks it as one of the most risky places in the western hemisphere for poor women to give birth.
It was not long ago when we stood by in distant and utter shock, praying only as we could for the well being of the Haitian people.
I toured Haiti last week with one of the greatest creative minds in the world -- my friend Donna Karan, whose Urban Zen Foundation is doing extraordinary work to help Haiti's people design their own future. Amidst Haiti's devastation, here is beauty, alive and well.
Shortly after the Haitian earthquake struck on January 12, 2010, my phone rang. I left the cold of Chicago seven days later. As an ophthalmologist, a medical doctor who specializes in eye care, I worked to provide immediate treatment for those injured.
It is easy to give up on Haiti reading about where the country stands after two years since the 2010 earthquake. Women's rights is one example of huge problems and work ahead, and yet it also shows why no one should give up on Haiti.
President Martelly must recognize that the future prosperity of the Haitian people will not come from an association with the world's despots but with the hard work of fighting corruption, creating opportunities and educating his people.
Haiti's challenges are enormous and there are no easy answers. However, a two-pronged strategy --- registration and monitoring of NGOs and a governmental and donor focus on "core governance" -- may be a good start.
Cheryl Mills has the unenviable task of coordinating America's aid efforts in Haiti. That's why I've selflessly volunteered to help her out by listing the five things she forgot to mention about Haiti's recovery.
On the two year anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti on Jan. 12, 2010, I feel it is important to reflect on the very significan...
The world has focused on rebuilding Haiti after this tragedy, but it's important not to lose sight of Haiti's rich traditions. One of them is soccer.
Expectations regarding reconstruction often disregard the normal pattern of rebuilding after disaster and basic construction timelines. So here it is, ten reasons why we should double down and renew our commitment to Haiti in 2012.
Haiti is not just "rebuilding" with cement and muscle. Haiti is "reimagining" a nation, with a bold vision and collective dream.
It would be easy to spend today reliving the tragedy of January 12, 2010, but if there is one thing I learned during my trips to Haiti over the past year, the best way to mark today's milestone would be to celebrate the progress that has been made.
Two years ago, President Obama promised the people of Haiti: "You will not be forsaken. You will not be forgotten." From what I've seen, working with those already in Haiti who have a record of getting things done is the only way the United States can fulfill that promise.
