Haiti's history: from vulnerability to earthquake

David H. Leaman, a political science professor at NEIU, introduced the guests for this event: Ludovic Comeau, Associate Professor and Academic Director at DePaul University, and Serge JC Pierre-Louis, President of DuSable Heritage Association, Association of Haitian Physicians Abroad, and Neurologist at Stroger Cook County Hospital.

"The biggest enemy of Haiti's economic downfall is political instability," said Comeau when he began explaining the state of Haiti before the earthquake struck the nation. 

"Haiti faced scarcity of resources even before the earthquake," continued Comeau.  "Now [after the earthquake] not only is the agricultural area [devastated], but the metropolitan and surrounding suburban [areas] are also leveled. We won't be able to build everything as it were, but [we will still try] our best."              

He worried that there will be a hurricane in the upcoming hurricane season, causing yet more destruction as a result of unsafe building construction regulations.   "Back in 2004, when Hurricane Jeanne hit us, we organized ourselves slowly," said Pierre-Louis, "Our people worked hard to stabilize the economy.  Haitian Congress to Fortify Haiti was formed to participate in the government and to reintegrate the life of Haitian community.  We also engaged in the movement for debt forgiveness, which is actually an imposed ransom on gun point, it's a movement for Haitian community's empowerment." Pierre-Louis explained how 3,000 members of Haitian Physicians Abroad should attempt to create a coalition with the nation's churches, even including the Scientology churches.

"National Haitian-American Association's officials are committed to get international attention and support," said Pierre-Louis.  "We need to make collaborations from international doctors for better articulation of the needs of Haitian people."

"We need grants not loans to rebuild and empower Haiti," continued Pierre-Louis, "Currently we are appealing to IMF, World Bank in particular."

He also discussed American media coverage of the incident, stressing how the sovereignty of Haiti has to be respected in the process.  He then said how the many relief efforts should be more humanitarian and that better vaccinations and aids are always needed.

"Undocumented patients are facing harassment from immigration officials and are being deported and they won't even let them get complete treatment," said Pierre-Louis, "This needs to be stopped, release all those individuals and let the borders open and allow undocumented patients [to] reunite with their families.  They need the right to live wherever they want, right to buy and own properties, we want a major concession."

Haitian Congress to Fortify Humanity is located at 1227 Dodge Avenue at Evanston, IL. Volunteers are welcome to help victims and their families at the center.