Haiti Overview (7:51 AM cst 2/4/10)

From Pastor Jimmy Dodd, Pastorserve:

•The Government is reporting that the number of displaced people ranges from 800,000 to one million.

•No matter how much food hits the shores of Haiti , distribution is the key to keep more people from dying. Without that, the volume of aid becomes an impressive but meaningless statistic.

•The United Nations continues to operate with little or no input from Haitian leadership. Haitian leaders are ready to serve. More than 1200 Haitian pastors who survived the earthquake and are ready to serve – but are not being asked. In short, the number one problem appears to be the ineffective use of the local indigenous church. Allowing Haitian pastors into the distribution process would result in an immediate dramatic uptick in results.

•We are moving out of Phase I of the earthquake aftermath. The vast majority of Haitians have either been treated or they are dead. Phase II (the next three to four months) will be to provide ongoing medical care, establish temporary housing and stabilize effective food and water distribution – but, Phase II will also bring a public health crisis with problems such as cholera and dehydration. Phase III will begin to address long term issues such as infrastructure and rebuilding. No doubt, the ongoing health crisis will be at a critical level.

•Food and supplies are still bottle necked at the airport and port. On January 19th, President Clinton lamented the absence of any effective distribution system in Haiti. Since then a voucher system has been implemented allowing women to receive food and water. Yet, many Haitians continue to go without.

•Security is commonly cited as the reason for the distribution bottleneck. There are not enough UN security forces to provide adequate support. Yet, from all NGOs in Haiti I have heard one resounding theme – Security is not an issue.

•The World Health Organization has effectively distributed medical supplies. Yet, food and water are not being distributed. The message is wildly inconsistent.

•Electricity remains unstable which has hindered earthquake relief assistance. Fortunately, the fuel crisis is now passed. Fuel tankers are everywhere in Port-au-Prince .

•In short, the perfect is in the way of the good. Right now, 50% right is better than nothing. There are ways around the airport and port crisis. Supplies can be delivered to the Dominican Republic and trucked into Haiti.