Brothers, Brothers, where a thou?

It has been over a month since the devastating EARTHQUAKE; in fact, his one month birthday was commemorated on February the 12th. Masses were held, dignitaries were on hand for the unfortunate event. It should have been baptized “a day for the survivors”. I personally did not watch any of it on TV. I’m still trying to grasp the invisibleness of some semblance of normalcy in the country. I’m still taken by the ineptitude of the Haitian Government to help his people in its darkest hour. Where are they now? What are they doing? Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ve seen the pictures taken with passing foreign representatives. I’d like to be a fly on the wall in one of those board meetings they claim to be having. Are they in there blaming each other, or setting up a plan of action? Oh wait, that was a month ago! What phase are they in now? Did I hear clean up and demolishment? For how long? Is there anything else? Tents Cities? Or are they just seating there crying broke, waiting for the International Community to say here some money, go rebuild your Country?
My heart goes out to the survivors and the thousands of aids workers and the various health organizations. We thank you on behalf of all Haitians. I can only imaging the frustrations. While, at times, your best efforts do not seem be enough; your best is what you have. We appreciated it. We also thank the millions of donors all over the world. We are forever indebted to you. It would have been a very different picture without your outpouring supports. The road ahead is arduous and long; we wish you perseverance for no good deed goes unrewarded.
The world is a very violent place. These catastrophes go around without notice. I fear that the next unfortunate one will see the TV cameras fold in a hurry, aids organizations get thinner as they try to respond to more than one call for help, and Haiti will be left again to his own devices. I am also afraid that without a coherent plain of action, all these generous pledges will slowly dwindle and even worst squandered. Here we are a month and a half since the quake and simply feeding the hungry is still chaotic at best, drinking water is still occasionally distributed, temporary shelter is still lacking. Only the strongest and bravest stand on those long lines, I’m told. The rests have to buy the food or goods later one from those who managed to get multiple counts of it. There has got to be a better way to distribute them in a fairer and orderly maner! People should register at a particular location to receive their aids; especially in the least affected areas where they needs are diverse. It’s not enough to report that we are distributing 100,000 hot meals here and there. We should know by now who are in needs and take appropriate action to help them all. It would be an even greater shame for someone to survive this Earthquake and later die of famine; when food is in abundance.
Leadership may indeed be lacking but, there are enough funds available to warrant hiring a group of competent people to help converting this multitude of aids organizations into one coherent machine that can systematically distribute food, water, and other necessities to the affected population. It would require working alongside the broken government. But, that is what needed right now; more collaboration among all those diverse groups. Most of you (aids groups) have been in Haiti for years; and as such, did this kind of work in much smaller scale. The magnitude of the need today requires a more comprehensive solution. All selfish interests should be put aside and attack the problem with one coherent and powerful army. There could be Divisions and Battalions of aids and health organizations. But, today’s battlefield has simply too many chiefs. This group of people, managers, or board of governors should have both local and international representatives; people who knows the terrain, the customs, and the Haitian people. They will have to work with the understaffed government to assess the needs and pertinent actions. They will raise your concerns with one voice and facilitating all actions. They will work for you and represent you in front of the government. That integrated board, for having some local representatives, will also see that the needs of all the affected people are met. The government will also find comfort knowing that the people are indeed being taking care of, and then can divert their attention into fixing other infrastructural problems among others. Only then we will start to see progress at a rapid pace. Where my Haitians brothers at? Men anpil chay pa lou.