Global IssuesIn Haiti, the Wide Gap Between Promises and Deliveries
On the eve of the first anniversary of the earthquake that killed almost half a million people in Haiti, international NGOs have called for world leaders to commit to the billions in funding pledges made to the devastated country last year. Of the 5.75 billion dollars committed over two years by the top 24 global donors, less than half of the promised funding had been distributed to struggling Haitians as of November 2010.
Fronting a panel on the challenges facing Haiti’s children Tuesday, Corina Villacorta, executive advisor on child rights at World Vision International, told IPS Haiti needed to be put back on the radar. 'In the aftermath of the earthquake there was an incredible outpouring of generosity from governments and countries and people contributing towards Haiti. And that was great for the first half of the year, but over time that has gone down,' Villacorta said.
'The Inter-American Development Bank and other big multilateral organisations are contributing, but it’s still not enough. 'The needs are huge. Over time, we’re probably talking five to ten years of significant investment in Haiti at different levels.' More than 2 million people were displaced by the 7.0 earthquake that reduced much of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, to rubble last year, devastating a nation that was already one of the poorest in the western hemisphere.
Up to one million Haitians remain in temporary shelters and outbreaks of cholera and seasonal flooding have hampered reconstruction efforts. Children, in particular, have faced serious problems rebuilding their lives in the aftermath of the disaster, with lack of access to clean water and sanitation, food scarcity, poor education and healthcare, and cases of exploitation and abuse posing obstacles.
Although there has been some progress over the past year, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said the situation in the Caribbean country remained critical. 'Current access to adequate shelter, water, sanitation, education and healthcare continues to fall far below acceptable levels,' Pillay said. 'A comprehensive long-term plan needs to be put in place by the Haitian Government, with the support of the international community, so that the state can provide durable solutions regarding access to basic services, both for those living in camps and those living in slums, in line with its human rights responsibilities.'
© Inter Press Service (2011) — All Rights ReservedOriginal source: Inter Press Service