Need to strengthen local capacity in Haiti

2004: Tropical Storm Jeanne claims around 2,800 lives. 2010: Earthquake leaves more than 250,000 dead. 2016: Hurricane Matthew kills more
than 800.
Natural disasters have been visiting Haiti with alarming regularity (every six years). It has received massive foreign funding during these crises. But sadly, the foreign intervention has failed to build local capacity and assist masses in bringing about political stability. Hence, every catastrophe continues to grow in magnitude.
The human toll that comes in the wake of every devastation impacts the economy in a big way. Currently, the country’s tourism sector — Haiti’s biggest earner — is in a shambles. People are fleeing amid the economic misery and the rebuilding process is mired in hopelessness.
As the scale of Hurricane Matthew unfolds in Haiti, relief pours in. After Storm Jeanne and the 2010 quake too, donors swung into action to extend support. But homegrown corruption took over. The actual purpose of the funding was
defeated. Disaster preparedness became a joke and it was a sordid scramble for aid that forced the people to wallow in economic mess. Graft was fuelled by
political and public apathy. Due to weak governance and inefficient local bodies, the funding went astray and the affected zones continued to languish in neglect.
The presidential elections have been deferred now. Hurricane Matthew should be the final wake-up call for Haitians to elect a strong leader who puts the country’s well-being on top and restructures its economy while using the human capital Haiti has. The country needs a person who can ensure the funds are utilized in such a way that its citizens are fully equipped to face the next extreme natural event.
The world community has to engage itself in Haiti to see that the country mobilizes efforts to mitigate a future disaster. Technical tools that arm Haiti in putting the warning systems in place are the need of the hour. Programmes that help ordinary Haitians not just to pick up the pieces, but also to reshape their lives are vital. They should be empowered to take decisions. Of course, these would take time and call for a sustained effort. Both authorities and agencies have to join hands to make this happen.
Hurricane Matthew has caused flooding and mudslides. Cholera and diarrhoea are looming threats that need to be contained through humanitarian
assistance on a war-footing. Millions of people have been displaced. They
require shelter, food and clean water urgently. While these are tackled and the chaos is brought under control, the international agencies have to partner with the local bodies on capacity building of Haitians. It is only by boosting local power can the country be brought on its feet again.
Humanitarian response to a crisis is quite natural and necessary. But apart from the short-term programmes, the international community has to assist Haitians to build a future where they can cope on their own with minimum outside intervention. If the aid agencies invest in human capital, it would be their biggest contribution to Haiti’s economic revival and political stability. This will come about through awareness, community participation and good leadership. Planning to contain damages from a future natural event will be possible through a proper warning mechanism and risk management policy. These will fall into place when Haitians and authorities work in tandem. Every disaster is a lesson. Haitians have learnt it the hard way. Now is their time to show wisdom!