The View from Haiti

It's the middle of the day; the sun is up, the heat rising in Port au Prince, the capitol of Haiti. Thousands of young men and women fill the streets, lining up, moving from place to place. They are looking for work, any work; work that might pay them enough to eat for hunger is on the march here. Garbage is carefully sifted for whatever food might be left. Young babies wail in frustration, seeking milk from a mother to anemic to produce it.

Haiti is an epicenter of the global food crisis. Its people live on the margin of survival. According to the UN World Food Programme, the largest and most effective food aid organization here, 56% of the population exists on less than a $1.00 a day. 60% of household cash goes to food. Hunger is a constant companion. 61% of all children under 5 are anemic; 46% are women. Nearly half - 47% -- of all Haitians are malnourished.

But now the price of rice, wheat, flour and oil has doubled in the last year. In October of last year, $4.50 was sufficient to buy two full meals; now that money would buy one meal. Haiti only produces 43% of its food needs; it imports more than half. Food aid provides only 5%.

Now hunger is spreading; mass starvation is threatened. Earlier this month, Haitians rioted in anger over soaring food prices; and the legislature dismissed the former Prime Minister. On Monday of this week, a new prime minister, Ericq Pierre, was sworn in.

The new president is an experienced diplomat, former senior advisor to the Inter-American Development Bank. He understands that US friendship is vital. In his first statements, he put priority on stopping the drug trade. Needless to say, he was concerned that Haitians temporarily in residence in the US not be sent home. Remittances from the US are Haiti's leading source of revenue, larger than any export. He looks to extend the agreement that keeps US markets open to Haitian textiles, clothing that Haitians finish and ship back to the US. He hopes for debt relief. Impoverished Haiti sends $70 million a year back to the World Bank, headed to $100 million. He needs that money to invest in schools in infrastructure, in agriculture. And finally, he says Haiti needs food aid now to stem the upheaval that will come from spreading desperation.

Here is where America has an opportunity to demonstrate that we see the Haitians as human, as neighbors. Mr. Bush, who has grown ever more unpopular at home and isolated abroad, can use this crisis to demonstrate leadership. Why not set up a program to insure that every Haitian child has a school to attend, that supplies a book pack and a breakfast and lunch? We could help educate and feed the next generation of Haitians.

The wealth of America is most visible from these shores. Faced with a desperate economy, Haitians are not going to get a rebate from their government. The situation of this tiny nation of 9.2 million is getting worse. Last week, over twenty Haitians died as their boat capsized trying to make it to America. Desperation will drive many more to make the attempt.

America, of course, is experiencing its own troubles. Soaring food and gas prices are squeezing budgets here also. The recession is likely to get worse before it gets better, despite the rebates arriving in the mail. Can America respond to its neighbors even when its own economy is in trouble, when many of its own citizens are worried about their future? It is an unfair challenge, perhaps. But hunger won't wait for our economy to recover.

Comments

[morbie5]

Haiti's population is over 8.7 million people. In 1960 it was under 4 million. Haiti's total fertility rate is 4.86 children per woman. Hmmm, now who's to blame for haiti being poor???

[dadumdee]

France, England, and the US. They've sought vengeance primarily through debt and trade restrictions for 200+ years.

[cthomp7280]

This is a disgusting point that you attempted to make. Are you one of those people who belives that a woman walking down the street at 3 am in a mini-skirt deserves to go raped too?

Who's to blame for our vetarans coming home from war and ending up homeless? Your logic would suggest that they spend less time serving the country and more time brushing up on their typing skills.

Your comments breach the bounds of the moronic.

[booksnmore4you]

As someone who has lived in Haiti, I pray the U.S. takes a dramatic break from past policy with the country.

I great primer on Haiti in Paul Farmer's book The Uses of Haiti.

[rwe2late]

Rev. Jackson,
Are you really oblivious to the destructive policies of the US in Haiti and elsewhere??

"Rice has been grown in Haiti for centuries, and until twenty years ago
Haitian farmers produced about 170,000 tonnes of rice a year, enough
to cover 95% of domestic consumption. Rice farmers received no
government subsidies, but, as in every other rice-producing country at
the time, their access to local markets was protected by import tariffs.
In 1995, as a condition of providing a desperately needed loan, the
International Monetary Fund required Haiti to cut its tariff on imported
rice from 35% to 3%, the lowest in the Caribbean. The result was a
massive influx of U.S. rice that sold for half the price of Haitian-grown
rice. Thousands of rice farmers lost their lands and livelihoods, and
today three-quarters of the rice eaten in Haiti comes from the U.S."

http://globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=8836

[WAstateliberal]

Reverend Jackson,

Perhaps you didn't get Reverend Hagee's memo: Let them "STARVE! STARVE! STARVE!"

But then again, you and he are in two different spiritual worlds. Yours is empathetic and altruistic, his is hate-filled and murderous.

[neocon43]

The so called reverend is two bit shaker and liar.While he sleeps in his $2,000 a night suite and eats his ribeye steak and then goes out and pretends he is for the poor black man.What a con artist.Jackson and othere depend on the black man staying down to promote his lifestyle.

[altohone]

The ONLY coverage I noticed in the corporate media was the brief mention of Haiti in a long list of nations suffering from food riots on a NewsHour piece last week.
(and to those who would argue with my inclusion of PBS in the corporate category should check who has been controlling their board, the influence of their sponsors, and the resulting degredation of the quality in the ethics and professionalism of their coverage. Note- PBS is NEVER included on the short list of those who got the Iraq story right).

Haitians had the audacity to revolt against slavery, and they have paid for it ever since.

[Nommo]

The US should clear its debt with the Haitian people post haste, without their courage and bravery, the Louisiana Purchase would never have happened.

[gigi09]

"We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the hateful words and actions of the bad people but for the appalling silence of the good people."
- Martin Luther King, Jr., "Letter from Birmingham Jail"

[jrockbg]

I'm surprised that Mr Jackson has time out of his busy race-baiting schedule to actually champion a cause that has merit. In a very jaded way I support him on this. I wish though that people who complain about the US having so much influence in the world would ask the UN or NATO for assistance versus the US. But then again since the UN or NATO can't do anything militarily or monetarily without our imperialistic support I guess its ok that Mr. Jackson has chosen to cut out the middle man.

[paganmist]

"I'm surprised that Mr Jackson has time out of his busy race-baiting schedule to actually champion a cause that has merit."

If you support this, why is your entire comment dismissive? You seem to have replied simply to insult Rev. Jackson, and to suggest that people should shut up about the US.

Great way to contribute to the conversation.

[WAstateliberal]

Typical. This is exactly what I expect from people who have so little civic understanding that they actually believe that for a prominent African American to seek social justice for a segment of our society that is non-majority, non-white, it is "race baiting." This is what the symmetry seekers screech about: Reverse racism! Race baiting! It's all hate propaganda.

You know what's really sad? I can't tell if jrockbg is a Hillary supporter or a Republican. The differences have evaporated. Incredible.

[gigi09]

Preachers are being exposed one by one! Many...not all are consummed by some or ALL of the 7 deadly sins: LUST, PRIDE, WRATH, ENVY, GREED, Sloth and Gluttony! Pick the one(s) that best decribe you!

[Ricey]

I wouldn't call myself a Christian, but even I have heard the verse "All men fall short of the glory of God." Preachers are just as human as anyone else, it's just that sometimes it seems they have to be reminded every so often.

[Ricey]

I applaude Rev Jesse Jackson for supporting a noble cause and encouraging awareness in our insulated society. Theres no need to attack his faith.

[gigi09]

In the mist of all that is going on now ...in the United States of America. Please know that my my heart and my prayers are with any one that is hungry. Unfornately, there are people here that are hungry. Right NOW we are in a battle to get Barack Obama elected as the first African American President of the United States of America. I would have thought that whenever you surfaced, it would be in an effort to difuse the mess that another preacher has caused. But I have heard you Mr. Jackson and you are transparent. I have one question for you, what would MLK say to all of you that he left behind...would he ask you "What have you been doing for 40 years" for your people. Who have you groomed and prepared to lead us in the 21st Century?...yet we have been blessed to have a fine black man that is well qualified for the job...where are you SLC leaders? I believe that Martin Luther King ,Jr. would be embracing this young man regardless to his imperfections (You are not and were not perfect when you ran.) Talking about Black Liberation...do you know what that is? How about a black man is this close to becoming the President of the United States of America! Now that's liberation stupid!

[sierrarisings1]

Thank you

[vippy]

Well, why do you call him a black man, he is also white? Why do we have to name race?

[speciallady2003]

Ethanol can be efficient. Brazil has been using it successfully for years. Corn is not practical, as the world can now see, but sugar is. Haiti should be encouraged to grow it and become self-sufficient. We should give up on corn as a source of fuel and turn to sugar cane. Prices of fuel and food will surely decrease.

[JGK]

The lack of coverage of the issues raised by Amy Serrano's documentary, The Sugar Babies. (about Haitian laborers working in Dominican Republic), is stunning.

http://www.sugarbabiesfilm.com/cgi-local/content.cgi?pg=3

I wish Jesse Jackson's trip and commentary had shed light on the inter-relatedness of labor exploitation of Haitians by Dominican Republic sugar growers; US sugar subsidies to those growers who also own US interests (straight from the pockets of US taxpayers); financial support of US politicians and candidates by those growers; and the effect on US policy-making. Little do we know just how complicit we are in being a part of the problem and not part of the solution. Its time for this dynamic to be illuminated so we can hold our politicans accountable.

[Simonfish]

The problem with Haiti is that it is unable to govern itself. It is a mess. I would suggest adoption. I don't think the US can afford Haiti, so I would recommend someone else. It's a lose, lose situation whoever is dumb enough to take over Haiti. In the end lots of American high school students from upper middle and above class families will send their sons and daughters there to boost their college application resumes. I guess that's better than nothing.

[Cathy11-]

The U.S. should give more in foreign aid not only because it is the right thing to do, but because it is a smart way to build more good will towards the US . It is a shame that such desperation exists so near to our shores. If we weren't spending $200,000 a minute in Iraq maybe we could find the resources to help our neighbors, Thank you for championing this cause.

[Stevelagain]

The US cannot look good in this situation because we are taking their food and putting it into our gas tanks. The more money we toss at food, the higher the price will go and the poor elsewhere will die.

We must lower the cost of food, we must STOP PUTTING THE FOOD OF THE POOR INTO OUR GAS TANKS.

End food to fuel. End it. It' makes MORE CARBON not less and it starves the poor. It's time to stop the nonsense, end food to fuel. Jackson doesn't have a clue.

[Rumplestiltskin]

"we are taking their food and putting it into our gas tanks"
I didn't realize the Hatian people owned US farmers' crops.

[vippy]

Especially since we have the technology available to run any vehicle more efficient.
It just blows my mind why they always take the more difficult road - oh yes, lobbyists!

[jrockbg]

Cathy,

The US is and has been for a very long time, the world's leader in foreign aid. We've been helping Haiti for years. Quagmire. A word I'm sure you are familiar with is a great way to explain the economic situation in Haiti. Its much more complex than providing the country with funds or food.

And don't worry about the cost of the war in Iraq. Compared to a socialized medicine program that would be a failure in the US, the war is CHEAP! Tell you what. Let's stop funding Planned Parenthood until they quit doing abortions with our tax dollars and give the money to Haiti. I'd have your back on that.

[Nommo]

You are badly misinformed. The United States is far from the world's leader in foreign aid, and what aid it does proffer has more strings than you need to build a suspension bridge. As for the US, France and Haiti, the two former are responsible for all the hell that goes on there now. They have punished the Haitian people for there temerity in kicking the French out in the 18th century. The US involvement with Haiti has been criminal.

Inform yourself a bit more accurately, please.

[vippy]

whenever the IMF is involved it is bad for that country!

[LNinIllinois]

It is a crime what the developed countries of the world have done to and not for Haiti. The primary culprits are France, which started the whole mess with their rape of Haitian resources 200 years ago, and the US, which continues to meddle for the past 100+ years.

Haiti is the western hemisphere's shame. Port au Prince has been a war zone for years and now the innocent people there are at the end of their rope. It is time to forgive any debt they ever had and let them use the few dollars they have to work towards true independence.

Until then the UN is needed to keep the peace. When I was there a few years ago working in a charity medical clinic, the conditions were extremely dangerous for everyone. Kidnappings and murders were a daily occurrence. Until the food crisis emerged, life was getting better. It totally infuriates me that anyone sitting in their cushy office in DC thinks that repayment of those loans is just.

[Stevelagain]

Now developed countries are taking the food of the poor and putting it into their gas tanks. End food To Fuel. Democrats need to roll back their deadly ethanol bill.

Stop starving the poor for your gas.

[jrockbg]

Amen. The whole idea behind subsidizing small farmers was that feeding a country on its own is vital to its national security. Now we're selling that down the river and raising world-wide food prices to save 10 cents a gallon? Come on Dems, wake up! The poorest people in the world are paying the price with their lives and health to support food-fuel ethanol.