One year after Haiti earthquake, still no real relief and
reconstruction
Dear editor,
Haiti's politicians (and the whole world)should take a page from the
book of the Australian handling of the major Queensland and northern
Victoria flood crisis.
The flood waters have only just started receding and the cleaning and
reconstruction process has already started. The Queensland lady premier
immediately returned from her holidays, and took charge overseeing the
relief effort. The army, the police, the governmental, volunteer, church
and charitable organisations immediately organised rescue operations,
opened well functioning relief accommodation, with proper food and clean
water, toiletries and clothing and even child care to keep the children
occupied and entertained. Thousands of volunteers of all ages, but
especially the young people, from all walks of life and all parts of
Australia literally clogged up the roads to get to the affected areas.
They brought their mops and buckets with them and immediately started the
cleaning operation. Others literally put the sausages and "the prawn on
the barbie" to feed them all on site.
Many politicians also rolled up heir sleeves and jeans to help the
affected people. The Centrelink has arrived on site and gave $1000 to
every adult and $400 for every child in the affected families, and further
financial help is contemplated.
I am not overoptimistic, but I bet that one year from now most, if
not all, damaged infrastructure and most of the houses will be repaired
and rebuilt. The Australian way.
Rapid Response:
One year after Haiti earthquake...
One year after Haiti earthquake, still no real relief and
reconstruction
Dear editor,
Haiti's politicians (and the whole world)should take a page from the
book of the Australian handling of the major Queensland and northern
Victoria flood crisis.
The flood waters have only just started receding and the cleaning and
reconstruction process has already started. The Queensland lady premier
immediately returned from her holidays, and took charge overseeing the
relief effort. The army, the police, the governmental, volunteer, church
and charitable organisations immediately organised rescue operations,
opened well functioning relief accommodation, with proper food and clean
water, toiletries and clothing and even child care to keep the children
occupied and entertained. Thousands of volunteers of all ages, but
especially the young people, from all walks of life and all parts of
Australia literally clogged up the roads to get to the affected areas.
They brought their mops and buckets with them and immediately started the
cleaning operation. Others literally put the sausages and "the prawn on
the barbie" to feed them all on site.
Many politicians also rolled up heir sleeves and jeans to help the
affected people. The Centrelink has arrived on site and gave $1000 to
every adult and $400 for every child in the affected families, and further
financial help is contemplated.
I am not overoptimistic, but I bet that one year from now most, if
not all, damaged infrastructure and most of the houses will be repaired
and rebuilt. The Australian way.
Competing interests: No competing interests