Reflection on Haiti by J. Howard Teel

Maxine and I lived and worked in Haiti for three years.  I managed Grace Children’s TB Hospital in Port-au-Prince, a national TB, maternal and child health program and family planning programs.  We fell in love with the Haitian people, and are very saddened for their unbelievable plight today.  After this horrible destruction and loss of life, it will take a generation or two to completely recover.  The Haitian people are very friendly and hard working, but most live in abject poverty - making less than a dollar a day (before the earthquake).  A middle class was developing slowly.  Several extended families have controlled the wealth of Haiti for decades.  Haiti has some beautiful beaches and coastal sea areas, as well as nice restaurants thanks to the French influence.  Tourism was a major source of income.

The infrastructure of the capital Port-au-Prince was extremely poor before the earthquake.  Now after the massive 7.0 earthquake, there is a total collapse and a nightmare.   Port-au-Prince is the hub and economic heart of this small nation.  Haiti has at least nine million people, and half of them live in Port-au-Prince on the coast.  The death toll could match the Asia tsunami.  Haitians are traumatized, weeping, worried, hungry, and burying the dead. Those who survived see no future. Americans and others are sending medical professionals, equipment, and supplies.  A few days without water and the people start dying.   More serious violence is certain. During the first few months, there could be more deaths than the quake.  This could become the greatest devastation ever seen on earth.

In 1985, there were 6 million people, and today 9 plus million.  That is a 50 percent increase, and rising.  Today, 54% of the population is under 21 years of age.  That will cause even a much greater population growth in this extremely poor country.  Another serious problem is that only 54% of the people can read and write. Haiti is a very religious country, and Haitians say they are 90% Christian and 100% voodoo.

In the 1980’s U.S. Aid was working to save the last of all the watersheds.  Haiti is all mountains and valleys.  With so many hurricanes over the years, the mountains have been seriously eroding, covering and destroying good soil in the valleys.  Therefore, they have more people and less farming land.  This is exacerbated by so many small trees being cut for fuel.  Years ago Haiti had 25 feet of top soil and mountains covered with large virgin teak and other trees. 

We lived in a beautiful house in Petionville perched on a ridge overlooking Port-au-Prince and Bay;  I am sure it is gone now.   The children’s hospital was located down the hill and is likely gone also.  They must have command and communications, including law and order.  The immediate major problems are search and rescue, medical care, water, food and disease control.  Of course they have to bury the dead very soon.  We hope and pray Haiti will “Rise from the Ashes” better than before!

The long term problem is rebuilding the city, lives, and economic and social infrastructure.   There must be a comprehensive, well planned, funded, and implemented national plan for 20 years!   Even then, there will not be enough arable land space to grow enough food to feed the rapidly growing population. This is an extremely complex, difficult and dangerous national problem.  But it can be done!  Haiti needs our prayers, help, and understanding!