Haiti now on a clearer path to recovery

Daraine Luton, Senior Staff Reporter

Port-au-Prince, Haiti:

HAITI HAS come a far way since January. When I left here in the immediate aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake, the stench of death and desperation stood out like a man.

There was rubble everywhere and uncertainty gripped the faces of hundreds of thousands of citizens who survived that massive quake.

Despite the main building at the Toussaint L'Ouverture International Airport being condemned due to massive cracks in its walls, aircraft are hitting the runway with some regularity. A new gate corridor has been constructed beside the hugely compromised airport building, and a shuttle bus system has been introduced to take passengers from that gate to a makeshift immigration processing area some 200 metres away.

In January, only a select few, soldiers and air workers were permitted near the airport building, which many felt would collapse under an aftershock. The streets outside were lined with people who could barely come to grips with the tragedy. Many gazed blankly at the sky in disbelief, others looked for divine intervention.

'God help us ... we need help' read a sign that was painted on the outer wall of the airport. The artist had skilfully drawn clasped hands onto a face which had well-defined, teary eyes.

Glimmer of optimism

When I arrived late Sunday evening, I looked for the artwork but it seemed to have faded. Haitians have dried their tears and that look of uncertainty for many, has given way to optimism. The airport, for example, was bustling with commercial activities. Taxi operators and porters break sweat in a feverish attempt to eat bread.

Aside from the industry of those persons I first interfaced with, the thing that hit me most was real politics. Ten months ago, white flags were at the mouth of every lane, an indication that people there needed to be rescued from collapsed buildings, or were in need of food and water. Those flags have given way to a plethora of campaign posters and billboards.

Utility poles, buildings, wheelbarrows and even garbage receptacles are plastered with the faces of dozens of presidential hopefuls, many of them overlooking the many tent cities in the capital.

Haitians are due to go to the polls on November 28, but one would not be surprised if choosing a government to manage its affairs, is not the most critical item on their shopping list. One security guard said he had no interest in the election and a driver told The Gleaner he was not even registered to vote. "Haiti has other problems to solve now," he said.

But Bob, a middle-age man who lives in the tent cities, told The Gleaner that he would not be surprised if a lot of Haitians turn out for the polls.

"The people want a new freedom ... they are prepared to fight for that," he said.

Meanwhile, volunteers and missionaries have descended on the Caribbean nation. No fewer than two dozen arrived with me on the flight from Miami, and they join what is said to be a growing list.

"The people need Jesus," one Argentine missionary told The Gleaner. He said his group, which is linked to Billy Graham ministries, is campaigning in the tent cities in a bid to win souls for the kingdom of Christ.

But there are other tourists here doing a different type of work. Noa Berger is a occupational therapist from an Israeli medical group.

"There are a lot of people with need for therapy ... they have problems with prostheses and we are helping them. But our aim is to teach the local people so that when we are gone they can help," Berger said.

The United National Population Fund (UNFPA), said Haiti still faces a major humanitarian crisis. It is expected to speak to increased incidents of gender-based violence, as well as reproductive health of women, when the report is launched here tomorrow.

The UNFPA has also warned visitors to be extra careful as kidnapping, rape and other crimes have dramatically increased.