Today, Explained Back-to-back crises in Haiti
Aug 17, 2021
Jake Johnston, a senior research associate at the Center for Economic and Policy Research and expert on Haitian aid, discusses the series of crises besieging Haiti, including a presidential assassination, a devastating earthquake, and a tropical storm. He highlights the overwhelming influence of aid organizations and critiques their impact on local governance. Johnston shares compelling stories of resilience among Haitians and delves into the dire humanitarian needs, underscoring the complexities of international aid and advocating for sustainable recovery efforts.
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Haitian Resilience
- Haitians display resilience after disasters like Hurricane Matthew and the recent earthquake.
- A woman whose rebuilt home collapsed wants the government to remove debris, acknowledging their limited resources.
Foreign Aid's Impact
- Foreign aid often undermines local governments and institutions, hindering long-term recovery.
- Less than 5% of USAID funding after the 2010 earthquake went to local Haitian entities.
Aid and Politics
- Aid organizations' influence can extend to political processes, impacting election outcomes.
- After the 2010 earthquake, the U.S. threatened to withhold aid if Haiti didn't accept overturned election results.