Dear Editor,
Today’s picture on the SN front page of a solitary Haitian woman after the destruction of her tent home speaks to the intended under-mentioned letter I was about to pen whilst awaiting the effects of Hurricane Isaac on Haiti.
About two years ago, this impoverished nation was visited with an earthquake of a magnitude some 7.0 on the Richter scale which caused tremendous damage to the island and loss of lives. The world watched on, and the international donors were on the ground with aid, etc, including a pledge of some US$5.3B which has not yet materialized.
To witness a country with such resilience which literally fought for its independence and paid off its debt to France, raises the question, why Haiti? The experience of the earthquake in 2010 which left some 0.3 million people dead, the cholera outbreak and other natural disasters including Isaac, which reportedly claimed 10 lives and brought destruction to Tent City, is a grim reminder to all, especially those who have not fulfilled their pledges, to reconstruct this nation.
Yours faithfully,
V O Patrick
