I was just wondering this question today and found this article. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-altman/will-aid-money-for-haiti_b_435643.html I find it very interesting that the World has donated 100s of millions of dollars to a small, third world nation (yet again), where people can survive on $1 a day. So these dollars should go 'infinitely' farther than they would on U.S. soil, making the amounts given that much more staggering! Now, the news originally said that Port-Au-Prince had roughly a population of 1 million people. The death toll is said to be pushing 300,000 people. Tragic as this may be, just factoring in the capital (which I'm guessing is the largest population center), it has lost roughly 30% of it's population. Whatever the exact figures are, the population just got much smaller. We realize that. In a place where no businesses exist to rebuild anything (that wasn't there to begin with), what is the money actually going to? Is this a fair question to ask? I'm thinking for the amount of money that has poured in there, by sometime next year, Port-Au-Prince 'should' look something like a miniature version of downtown Chicago. But, somehow, I have a feeling it will look the same as it did before. And, all the money will be lost to foreign contractors and corrupt government officials. The last paragraph of that article is very telling!! The author came up with a common sense approach and solution to the problem. But, in having to do so, has basically shown that these 'absolutely critical' checks and balances are NOT currently in place right now. Face it folks. That money is gone. I'm afraid it was a lost cause. Maybe why the Chinese only threw a million at it? There's a reason they did that. Not because they were being cheap. They used their heads. They knew what I've just spelled out here.
Well lets factor in the cost of all the medical equipment and drugs that are required to help combat the spread of diseases, then water purification systems, of course cloathing, food and shelter. Then lets look at the cost of replacing the docks they did have a very good deep water port and facilities that has been destroyed, this is hampering aid arriving by sea quite a bit. Then there are the roads that need to be cleared of debris that takes equipment even if you only go with the basics shovels pickaxes etc On top of that you have the hospitals to repair and resupply and staff, the other emergancy services will require help as well even if it is only at a basic level, the fire services, the police (Number of prisoners escaped when the main jail fell down) You then begin to notice how it adds up. Now dont get me wrong I am not saying that it will all go on those items it wont a great deal will itself be eaten up by those organisations who gather it in, for shall we say expenses and salaries.
Here's where the old phrase "follow the money" will be very revealing. Hey....I just realized...Cheney hasn't bashed Obama since the earthquake! Doh!
Let's also remember that Haiti wasn't exactly a stable country before the earthquake. We can't judge the Port-au-Prince recovery efforts in the same way we would if an earthquake hit Los Angeles.
I think the free market corporate conglomerate should just figure it all out for them. They've been so good to everyone else.
Just as a side note anyone know if New Orleans has yet fully recoverd from it's devistation? We rarely see anything about the city over here any more.
Not even close. Assuming there's no more major hurricanes, it's probably in the ballpark of 5 more years for "full recovery."
I was in New Orleans over the summer. All of the touristy areas are back to pre-Katrina condition as is the downtown area. It's the suburban areas just to the NE of the city that are still devastated. Entire neighborhoods, shopping complexes, business districts (what's left of them) are sitting vacant. I would think that nothing short of total demolition would be needed.
I realy am quite shocked by that David and am unsure as how to respond, here we are talking about rebuilding Haiti while New Orleans still remains unfinished some 5 years nearly down the line!! What has gone wrong? Hell even Cuba offerd to send over a thousand Dr's and donate there share of procedings from the 2006 World baseball championships!! (OK it was declined but they did offer)
My gut feeling is that so many residents simply moved away that rebuilding those areas isn't a priority to local government.
The oil cartel wouldn't be able to confiscate the land while it's still inhabited. Plus they can get look like heroes when they "revitalize it" after it's inhabitants are driven away.
