Observations and perspectives from Haiti - Post-earthquake

12th January 2010, an earthquake of 7.2 on Richter’s scale made sure that
the world became aware of this small country in the Caribbean.

On the 17th of January my husband and I travelled from Norway to Port-au-

Prince to assist our employees with the relief efforts and to set up a
temporary camp for the families associated with Project Haiti. The school
we run, Petit Troll, managed through the earthquake and all students and
staff survived. Project Haiti has a strong local presence, and all the
projects are led by Haitians. The camp quickly became a safe meeting
place for several hundred people.

Before we left for Haiti we received lots of advice about what we should do
as emergency relief workers in a disaster setting. One of the suggestions
was that we should consult with the UN Coordination Centre (the log base)
to register our camp, to be able to share and receive information about
the situation on the ground, and not least be able to request the necessary
help such as food, water, tents and medications. It has been a frustrating
and sometimes shocking experience to try to understand the system put
in place. Firstly, to be able to enter the log base you should be white. As a
white person you can drive right through and try to find your way in a
myriad of offices and tents. There are no explanatory signs guiding you. If
you are black it is not so simple. You are sure to be stopped by guards who
expect a good explanation for what your business is at the log base. My
husband, who is Haitian, and also the co-founder of Project Haiti, will be
able to enter when he presents himself as my driver.

After several trips to the log base where one is sent from one person to
the next, where few take responsibility, where few can give you a clear
answer, where most of the people you talk to are quite arrogant and
dismissive, we conclude that this is too difficult for us. Through social
media, blogs and articles you can read many similar stories. A majority of
the donated money and other equipment to earthquake victims is
channeled through the UN system and the intention is that the UN should
distribute this to those in need through organizations working in the
country. Emergency relief aid so far has not reached everyone who needs
help. One of the main problems is that those responsible for the
coordination are not including Haitians and their local organizations that
know the country and represent the expertise in Haiti. Haitians are not
invited, and hardly know about information meetings, so-called 'cluster
meetings'. These meetings are done mostly in English, not French or
Creole that are the two official languages in the country. (The majority of
Haitians speak only Creole.)

The food distribution system has been changed several times since the
earthquake, so there are new rules, new people and new forms to deal
with all the time. At one time the different parts of the city had one
designated focal point responsible for distribution of food tickets. We got

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a phone number we could call. A person came to visit the camp in order to
check the needs. We decided on a specific time for his return to the camp
with the tickets but he chose to come at a different time. His strategy was
clear, he said that he never came as agreed to avoid large crowds. The
result of this strategy was that most women in the camp were not present,
and lost their chance to get food tickets.

The few women who were given tickets delivered the bags of rice at the
school in order for everyone to share. The women's solidarity with each
other, versus the UN's arrogance, is heartbreaking. Unfortunately, we
found both stones and bugs in some of the bags. When we called back to
our contact to speak out about this and ask for more tickets, the answer
was ‘’sorry, I have other business to do! "

We tried at one point to give feeedback to the UN about the food

distribution in our district. One would think that the UN would want such
feedback to evaluate and improve emergency response efforts, but this
was not well received. We are amazed at the large aid organizations
represented in the country saying that they are satisfied with the UN's
coordination efforts. Are we on the same planet?

Our Haitian friends are not surprised by our experience from the UN
system. They shake their heads but say it's the way it has always been.
Haitians are frustrated, worried about the future and exhausted after three
months in camps with few visible signs that things will get better. At the
same time Haitians have, from day one, organized camps, elected leaders
and committees, tried to navigate in the international relief system, set up
their own security brigades, etc. Some aid has of course been distributed.
Many have received food, water, latrines, especially those living in the
most visible camps. Many organizations prefer to 'do their own thing’ to
make sure that people receive help.

Haitians are sceptical about the prospect of the billions pledged by the
international community reaching those who need it. Haitians have little
faith that their government will ‘change their ways’ and implement
measures of real change for the poor majority. The situation before the
earthquake illustrates why. The country is governed by a political and
economic elite. Haiti is one of the poorest and most corrupt countries in
the world and President Preval has been invisible to Haitians after the
earthquake.

Our message to Norway when pledging 800 million NOK to Haiti (135
million $ US) is that one insists upon the inclusion of local organizations at
all stages of the work ahead, that one ensures the inclusion of a great
workforce that consists of hardworking Haitian men and women who wants
nothing else but the opportunity to contribute with their knowledge and
their expertise.

By talking to Haitians in their own language, listening to their stories,

taking what they say seriously, seeing and smelling the misery they are in,

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it is impossible to keep quiet. It is their voices that now must be heard! If
one is serious about doing things different this time one must start with
those who are responsible for the relief work, they should get out of the
air- conditioned offices and out of their jeeps, and into a dialogue with
Haitians that can teach and show them how best to organize this. It's not
that difficult, they are right there…