Over a short period of time, the long-suffering people of Haiti have been hit by a major earthquake, cholera and, now, a fierce hurricane. We know that outside responses have been generous but largely ineffective. The reasons are many, including consequences of slavery by French colonialists, deforestation, weak and despotic local governments, and excessive emphasis on dams and factories rather than improved health care, education and agriculture. Directing 99 percent of aid resources to Western non-governmental agencies and contractors was ill-conceived.
Local nonprofit organizations and civic groups need to be strengthened. Water treatment plants and safe toilets are needed, rather than mountains of plastic bottles of water. Training of local health workers remains urgent, as well as health education in rural schools.
Having worked with issues such as these for some five decades, including in Sri Lanka after the tsunami and in Haiti, I would like to urge readers to consider Partners in Health (www.PIH.org) as an excellent resource for aiding Haitians. Their philosophy is to strengthen and work with local organizations. Their track record, under the leadership of Dr. Paul Farmer, has been admirable and worthy of your generous support. PIH has received the highest rating from Charity Navigator, which evaluates charitable organizations.
Barry Karlin, Lafayette
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