Paul returned on Wednesday morning to take us into Port au Prince. We had medical supplies and food we wanted to distribute. Heading into Haiti our first stop would be the orphanage. Our mission was to find a Haitian village that we could help rebuild or support, and we decided we would devote ourselves to helping these orphans. It was a 2 hour trip and one that rocked all of my senses. The border alone was enough to make you weep. People crawling all over each other, trying to buy food, ship food, sell food, and the border guards patrolling amongst the smells and dust. On our way into the city, we saw tents everywhere, along the side of the roads, and in open spaces. This was just the beginning.
We arrived at the orphanage compound encircled by a gate, and when it opened, we were greeted with dancing, smiling, singing children that brought an overwhelming feeling of happiness as well as grief to all of us. They sang a song that they had created, singing in French. The words were of praise and hope for a better future; that we would help them rebuild their roof that had collapsed in the quake, and get them beds to sleep on. We shed tears for the millions of people who were suffering.
When they finished, we gave the Reverend rice, bandages, anti-bacterial ointments, baby formula, and an array of other things that they had never seen before. They cried for joy! I understand why people work in disaster relief because there is no other feeling like giving to those who need it most, directly from your hands to theirs.
We stayed for some time at the orphanage located in Croix des Bouquet, outside Port au Prince, in a bustling community, but eventually headed into the city.
Port au Prince
The drive took us longer than we expected and Paul was striken by what he saw. He said the streets of Port au Prince had gradually over the last 5 years become full of people selling their goods, but this was nothing like he had ever seen before. There were military trucks everywhere, with troops carrying machine guns, and they were from every nation. Stopping at the US Embassy we spoke with the marines who were on guard duty. I identified myself as the mother of a US marine, and they were happy to see us. They said "glad to see Americans." I asked them how they felt about being there and one young marine responded by saying "When they told me I was going to Haiti, I was excited. I thought I would be helping people but all I am doing is standing around in the heat with a gun. I'm ready to go home."
And that's what they were doing. Everywhere. In trucks, humvees, on the streets, standing around in flak jackets with guns. Or sitting in the trucks with guns. While the Haitian people were digging themselves out. I couldn't believe my eyes, even though I half expected to see this scene. The streets were teaming with dust, people, cars, motorcycles, dogs, goats, cows and military vehicles. The smell ranged from putrid to horrific. And mixed in was some food cooking.
There were makeshift tents everywhere, people living on top of the rubble of destroyed buildings, with traffic all around them. The feeling in the air was one of desperation, even though those living on the streets were trying to put their lives back together. As far as the eye could see people were moving around, bathing, eating, sleeping, talking, singing, getting on with their lives.
The history of Haiti is one of constant upheaval, and oppression. On top of the abject poverty already in existence, people are living in the rubble of homes they were attempting to rebuild. Every single structure for miles had been damaged in one way or another. As we drove up the mountains, we saw Haitians still digging themselves out. Not once, and I mean not once, did I see anyone else helping them. They had small shovels, or buckets; they carried wood or bags of cement on their heads back to where their homes once were, trying to rebuild.
Where Has All the Help Gone
The world wept for Haiti on the evening of January 12th, and immediately donation lines were set up by every single NGO and then some, to collect donations to "help Haiti." Over $644 million, and possibly more, was collected worldwide.
The United States government announced that they would send $100 million in aid to Haiti, a fraction of the costs of the occupations being conducted in the middle east; and 2,200 marines, which then climbed almost immediately to 22,000 marines, soldiers and sailors. The troops began landing in Port au Prince on Sunday, January 17th, five days after the devastating quake. Defense Secretary Gates told reporters on a flight to India there would be a security element to U.S. relief efforts, but added: "I haven't heard of us playing a policing role at any point." Asked about rules of engagement, he said "as anywhere we deploy our troops, they have the authority and the right to defend themselves." "And they also have the right to defend innocent Haitians and members of the international community if they see something happen," he said. So much for humanitarian aid.
With the critical need for doctors and supplies, the US government chose to send in troops. What I personally witnessed was just the opposite of what Secretary Gates announced. The troops were policing. If they were participating in any relief efforts, it was minimal. Everywhere we drove we saw Italian, French, Canadian, and US military personnel and vehicles. Most of the time holding up the traffic, causing more congestion than was necessary, and not completely participating in relief efforts.
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