Haiti eleven years after the earthquake, an opportunity for economic succession and institutional enhancement.
January 12, 2021, marks the 11th anniversary of the earthquake that struck the Republic of Haiti. The devastating material and human losses have exposed Haiti's vulnerabilities, and by extension, the entire Caribbean, to natural disasters. An estimated 220,000 people were dead, including 18 percent of the nation's civil service, as well as 300,000, injured. Globally, people ran to help, to express their solidarity. In Canada, post-earthquake aid to Haiti was multifaceted and continued over several years. Since then, and for many other reasons, Canadians keep asking: How is Haiti?
There has been a lot of progress in Haiti since 2010. But tremendous challenges remain to be overcome. The capital, Port-au-Prince, which was heavily damaged by the earthquake, has not yet returned to its 2009 appearance. The promises of international aid did not help rebuild the country's infrastructure, nor did they revive the country's economy.
On the one hand, strengthening institutions has not been part of the post-earthquake agenda. On the other hand, the unfortunate reality is that, the solution to direct international aid through NGOs has proved to be disastrous.
To help Haiti today, we must follow these two closely related paths: economic recovery and institution building.
Like no country on the globe, Haiti will not be able to build a sustainable economy based on charity. Turning Haiti into a "republic of NGOs" will only destroy potential and creativity in the nation. Haiti's allies and strategic partners must commit themselves to encourage investment in the country in promising areas such as tourism, alternative and renewable energy, telephone communication, and agribusiness.
Instead of continuing to travel to Haiti for humanitarian missions, it would be more beneficial for the country and its people to make post-COVID travel plans to admire the beaches, mountains, and historical sites of the country, and to enjoy the climate and well-recognized charm, kindness, and hospitality of the Haitian people. Even better, it is possible to take a position that could be described as an "investment with a social and humanitarian impact", rather than a humanitarian business where people exploit the images of the vulnerable to beg for help on their behalf that never reaches them. Haiti is in need of Canadian and multinational companies confident that an "investment with a social and humanitarian impact" would result in many benefits, including the integration of young people into the labor market.
The second path is that of reinforcing the democratic process. This year, Haiti is preparing to hold elections to renew its political personnel and to change its constitution. The country's recent history shows that democracy is a complicated and even highly controversial exercise. This is not surprising, given that this is the case even for countries whose institutions are more robust. Nevertheless, it is a necessary exercise because it allows people to choose their potential leaders freely. Haitians last underwent this exercise in November 2016 to elect a president, Mr. Jovenel Moise, who took office on February 7, 2017.
As in previous years, international support will be needed to help reinforce Haiti's institutions through elections at the end of this year.
In this context of democratic momentum, the people are also called upon, again this year, to participate in the process of changing the constitution. The new Charter would allow the participation of Haitian diaspora to the political process. More than 80% of Haitians with graduate degrees live outside the country. They must be able to enjoy the full right to participate in their country's decision making.
According to the calendar for this year's public consultations: the referendum on the new constitution will be on April 25, the first round of legislative and presidential elections on September 9, and the second round of legislative and presidential elections and local elections on November 21, 2021.
Haitians will thus be able to exercise this inalienable right to democracy - one person, one vote - and decide their country's future. This future will not be bright without the support of Haiti's allies and strategic partners, notably through massive capital investments in the country's economy.
Dr Weibert Arthus, Ambassadeur d'Haïti au Canada.
Contact: Nicole Baptiste - communication@ambassade-haiti.ca - Phone : 613-238-1628, poste 323
January 12, 2021, marks the 11th anniversary of the earthquake that struck the Republic of Haiti. The devastating material and human losses have exposed Haiti's vulnerabilities, and by extension, the entire Caribbean, to natural disasters. An estimated 220,000 people were dead, including 18 percent of the nation's civil service, as well as 300,000, injured. Globally, people ran to help, to express their solidarity. In Canada, post-earthquake aid to Haiti was multifaceted and continued over several years. Since then, and for many other reasons, Canadians keep asking: How is Haiti?
There has been a lot of progress in Haiti since 2010. But tremendous challenges remain to be overcome. The capital, Port-au-Prince, which was heavily damaged by the earthquake, has not yet returned to its 2009 appearance. The promises of international aid did not help rebuild the country's infrastructure, nor did they revive the country's economy.
On the one hand, strengthening institutions has not been part of the post-earthquake agenda. On the other hand, the unfortunate reality is that, the solution to direct international aid through NGOs has proved to be disastrous.
To help Haiti today, we must follow these two closely related paths: economic recovery and institution building.
Like no country on the globe, Haiti will not be able to build a sustainable economy based on charity. Turning Haiti into a "republic of NGOs" will only destroy potential and creativity in the nation. Haiti's allies and strategic partners must commit themselves to encourage investment in the country in promising areas such as tourism, alternative and renewable energy, telephone communication, and agribusiness.
Instead of continuing to travel to Haiti for humanitarian missions, it would be more beneficial for the country and its people to make post-COVID travel plans to admire the beaches, mountains, and historical sites of the country, and to enjoy the climate and well-recognized charm, kindness, and hospitality of the Haitian people. Even better, it is possible to take a position that could be described as an "investment with a social and humanitarian impact", rather than a humanitarian business where people exploit the images of the vulnerable to beg for help on their behalf that never reaches them. Haiti is in need of Canadian and multinational companies confident that an "investment with a social and humanitarian impact" would result in many benefits, including the integration of young people into the labor market.
The second path is that of reinforcing the democratic process. This year, Haiti is preparing to hold elections to renew its political personnel and to change its constitution. The country's recent history shows that democracy is a complicated and even highly controversial exercise. This is not surprising, given that this is the case even for countries whose institutions are more robust. Nevertheless, it is a necessary exercise because it allows people to choose their potential leaders freely. Haitians last underwent this exercise in November 2016 to elect a president, Mr. Jovenel Moise, who took office on February 7, 2017.
As in previous years, international support will be needed to help reinforce Haiti's institutions through elections at the end of this year.
In this context of democratic momentum, the people are also called upon, again this year, to participate in the process of changing the constitution. The new Charter would allow the participation of Haitian diaspora to the political process. More than 80% of Haitians with graduate degrees live outside the country. They must be able to enjoy the full right to participate in their country's decision making.
According to the calendar for this year's public consultations: the referendum on the new constitution will be on April 25, the first round of legislative and presidential elections on September 9, and the second round of legislative and presidential elections and local elections on November 21, 2021.
Haitians will thus be able to exercise this inalienable right to democracy - one person, one vote - and decide their country's future. This future will not be bright without the support of Haiti's allies and strategic partners, notably through massive capital investments in the country's economy.
- Dr Weibert Arthus,
Ambassadeur d’Haïti au Canada
Contact:
Nicole Baptiste
communication@ambassade-haiti.ca
Phone : 613-238-1628, poste 323