Haiti appears to have suffered more than its fair share of political misrule, poverty and natural disasters. Aid and security have been rushed to the island before. Yet when the situation appears to have taken a turn for the best, more disasters strike which peg back the little progress made.

Once again the world is rallying to the aid of Haiti in the wake of last week’s devastating earthquake. We on the outside looking at the images streamed from the various international media, particularly CNN, can fully empathize. Not once can residents in the Virgin Islands shudder to think that these islands are immune to the catastrophe that struck Haiti.

Our leaders have repeatedly warned of the natural disasters that could likely affect us. Earthquakes and tsunamis top the list of likely natural disasters. 

Statistically, the earthquake that pierced Haiti measured 7.0 and centred approximately 16 miles west of Port-au-Prince, the capital city. 

Clearly, Haiti will need genuine help to rebuild, but the immediate need will be to stabilize the situation on the ground by restoring security and delivering the much needed food and medical supplies to the people.

Many have perished under collapsed buildings while many more are expected to die over the course of the recovery efforts due to illnesses which under normal circumstances would have been treatable. Children and the elderly are considered vulnerable groups at this stage. Additionally, with AIDS being the highest in Haiti outside Sub-Saharan Africa, the concern has been raised that survivors on anti-retroviral drugs will die because the much needed supplies no longer exists. Such is the challenge of healthcare givers.

Relief efforts are being stymied by the almost non-existent infrastructure prior to the earthquake. Many Haitians have fled slums in the countryside to take up residence in the capital hoping to make a better life. This has further compounded the extent of the disaster.

Haiti sits on the mountainous western third of the island of Hispaniola, which is shared with Santo Domingo.  Natural disasters are nothing new. In fact, about 200 years ago, a similar earthquake struck. However, since then only some 3 percent of the original forests remain.

Experts estimated that deforestation increased the effects of the 2008 floods when almost a thousand people were killed and up to a million were made homeless after four hurricanes struck around the important town of Gonaives. In 2004, an estimated 3,000 people were killed when a tropical storm came to shore in the northwest of the country.

The historic port of Cap Haitien bore the brunt on that occasion. In addition to these natural disasters, Haiti has suffered throughout its history from political turmoil and misrule.

Between 1888 and 1915, no Haitian president completed his seven-year term. Ten were killed or overthrown, including seven in the four years to the US invasion of 1915. Only one died of natural causes.

Once the veil of poverty is peeled back, a clearer image of a people who are proud of their rich culture and heritage emerge. Haiti has the distinction of establishing the first republic ruled by people of African ancestry at the end of the Haitian Revolution between 1791and 1803.

Many of the Haitians are fleeing their country due to malnutrition, AIDS, and other chronic diseases. The VI has been affected personally by fleeing Haitians. Some have landed here trying to get to the United States Virgin Islands. Some have been rescued while many have perished in their quest. 

Some 420,000 live in the US legally, according to census figures. Estimates of the number of Haitians in the US illegally vary from some 30,000 to 125,000. Why the US? Historically, Haitians have been seeking to carve out better lives in the US. In return, the US has been dabbling in the local politics of the nation and at one point there were talks of a US naval base being built on Haiti.

Barring the political struggle over the years stemming from corruption, Haiti has shown time and time again that the citizenry is reluctant to give in to the fact that Haiti remains the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, with average income of less than two dollars a day.

The return of democratic rule under President Rene Preval backed by United Nations and other international aid organisations, life was said to be improving. All of this despite the failure of many nations to follow through with promised aid.

There is certainly hope for the future. The shaking of Haiti is a wakeup call for the rest of the world to stand resolutely behind the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member state. Residents of the VI should also rally in support of Haiti. Contributions are already pouring in to the various organizations.

However, as we answer the call, we must ensure that only legitimate groups are accessing the funding provided. It is also important for residents to be on guard for phony schemes similar to the ones that went into operation after Hurricane Katrina.

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