Relief and mission agencies have been working in Haiti for many years before the recent earthquake devastated the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince. Why? Because even before this disaster Haiti had long been known as the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere. Many local markets sold ‘clay cookies’ literally made out of the dirt and filth of the ground. These were eaten as a cheap means of filling the stomachs of the starving. One in five children dies before the age of five in Haiti, many from easily treatable or avoidable illnesses.  As Carwyn Hill said in The Baptist Times, ‘It is a true but sad reality that the disaster of Haiti happened a long time before this quake.’

It is not surprising that the buildings and infrastructure were already so poor in the face of the recent quake as the nation continues to owe numerous multinational creditors, including the IMF, to the tune of a $890m debt. The charities, Jubilee Debt Campaign and Christian Aid, are asking the international community to cancel this debt. Here in the UK they are calling on our Chancellor Alistair Darling to challenge the IMF and Haiti’s other creditors to make the move. They ask that all money given to Haiti in future, for emergency relief and development, be in the form of grants and not loans, which because of spiraling interest can never be paid by such a poor economy. Sadly a problem for many poor nations of the world today. They are in a no win situation.

Amidst the tragedy and stench of death that pervades Haiti, hope is now being provided  by the international community rescue services with supplies of aid by the military, as well as support from the relief and mission agencies that pre-existed the quake and continue their work there.

 
As well as these hopes many Haitian Christians still continue to be fervent in faith and strengthened by it . Christina Bailey, a 24 year old Haitian reported that ‘in parks and backyards, anywhere a group gathers, prayers could be heard. The call-and-response chanting and clapping that accompany those prayers pierces the darkness of night and the pre-dawn hours -- sometimes as early as 4 a.m. The scene is repeated throughout the city. Many Haitians don't feel abandoned, God remains with them regardless of what's happened.’ "People don't blame Jesus for all these things," she said. "They have faith. They believe that Jesus saved them and are thankful for that."‘

Jean Mackenle Verpre who suffered a crushing leg injury and was freed after 48 hours underground. Asked what kept him going, he answered without hesitation: He believes in Jesus Christ and put his life in God's hands.

It has been wonderful that so many people in the UK care so deeply about the horror and devastation which have engulfed Haiti, because of this they have given so generously to the DEC Appeal for the country. The total continues to rise amazingly day by day. People are so compassionate at a time like this. One 7 year old, Charlie Simpson, did a sponsored bike ride and has raised over £70,000!

Let’s hope and pray that as well as faith, as well as immediate emergency responses and initial kindness, that the Haitian people can also have a real hope of a lasting solution for  the future. That they may be given the opportunity to rebuild a sustainable future, that the international community will have compassion beyond this humanitarian crisis and that they will be in a better place than they were before the earthquake happened.

Braithwaite February 2010