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[Banjax]

how astonishing is it to see pictures of Haiti one year on looking like the earthquake just hit yesterday - a sad indictement of that tragic countries poverty, corruption and hopelessness 

according to the Beeb, just 5% of the rubble has been cleared 

i wonder how many westerners are enjoying a break on the other side of the island at this time of year - i know one guy there at the moment and hes had a tough year and deserves a break but the contrast between the DR and Haiti is breathtaking  :-/

[Dishevelled Den]

It was indeed surprising and disappointing to see.

Government, by all accounts, has imploded in a country where any notion of strategic development has been pushed aside in favour of cronyism and the desire for certain legislators to take care of their own business before that of their nation.

[Nickbat]

It was indeed surprising and disappointing to see.

Government, by all accounts, has imploded in a country where any notion of strategic development has been pushed aside in favour of cronyism and the desire for certain legislators to take care of their own business before that of their nation.

Makes you wonder where all that aid money went. 

[Dishevelled Den]

Makes you wonder where all that aid money went. 

A very pertinent, justifiable question Nick and one where the answer will, no doubt, remain elusive.

[Banjax]

Makes you wonder where all that aid money went. 

A very pertinent, justifiable question Nick and one where the answer will, no doubt, remain elusive.

its not only where the money went, you also have to look at what countries pledged to Haiti in aid a year ago, and what percentage has transpired (the US for example pledged over $1bn and has sent maybe a tenth of tht according to reports - the US are witholding funds until they can be sure its not going to be stolen or misused - seems fair enough, but a year? are you really saying in a year we havent even managed to secure a safe channel for money?

yet again us humans are found wanting


difficult job? yes, definitely

impossible? no, i cant believe that - imagine BP discovered rich oil fields in Haiti and needed to set up the infrastucture to expoit it....wouldn't take anything like a year for investment to pour in, roads to be built, housing, schools, hospitals for workers to be erected - jeesus - its like we dont give a toss who lives or dies unless its us personally

[Varche]

how astonishing is it to see pictures of Haiti one year on looking like the earthquake just hit yesterday - a sad indictement of that tragic countries poverty, corruption and hopelessness 

according to the Beeb, just 5% of the rubble has been cleared 

i wonder how many westerners are enjoying a break on the other side of the island at this time of year - i know one guy there at the moment and hes had a tough year and deserves a break but the contrast between the DR and Haiti is breathtaking  :-/

Yes the people of the Domican Republic are dirt poor and the people of Haiti are really dirt poor.  The tourists in DR stay in enclaves and often do not see the folk who live in one room with no running water or toilet or even electricity unless they have risked life and limb and connected to O/H lines by jump leads.

Once again money is collected and then just disappears. Why can't the Un organise things properly? Why can't part of the aid be a fleet of JCB's from Caterpillar? It is all unforgiveable in this modern age of plenty. 

[albitz]

Situations such as this unfortunately are a regular reminder of just how utterly useless the U.N. is at evrything and anything. It has meetings and does a lot of talking - and thats about it.
It should be drastically reformed or abolished to save on the money it wastes imo.

[Banjax]

how astonishing is it to see pictures of Haiti one year on looking like the earthquake just hit yesterday - a sad indictement of that tragic countries poverty, corruption and hopelessness 

according to the Beeb, just 5% of the rubble has been cleared 

i wonder how many westerners are enjoying a break on the other side of the island at this time of year - i know one guy there at the moment and hes had a tough year and deserves a break but the contrast between the DR and Haiti is breathtaking  :-/

Yes the people of the Domican Republic are dirt poor and the people of Haiti are really dirt poor.  The tourists in DR stay in enclaves and often do not see the folk who live in one room with no running water or toilet or even electricity unless they have risked life and limb and connected to O/H lines by jump leads.

Once again money is collected and then just disappears. Why can't the Un organise things properly? Why can't part of the aid be a fleet of JCB's from Caterpillar? It is all unforgiveable in this modern age of plenty. 

sorry varche, i wasnt clear, yep i meant the contrast between the tourist camps and the rest of the country - it would put me off going to DR, but then you think - well its the main income for these people so by taking a moral stand is it just being selfish?.....moot point as we won't be travelling far on hols anytime soon.

 another few weeks at "hameldaeme" this year

[Dishevelled Den]

It is all unforgiveable in this modern age of plenty. 

There may well be things aplenty in this modern age but there remains precious little true humanity, common sense, practicality, humility and freedom from avarice.