AID to Haiti

    The tragedy in Haiti brings to light a serious problem in our world today. There are hundreds of poverty stricken countries that, given a serious catastrophe such as the earth quake, would see a much larger number of casualties than a wealthier country with resources to respond to an issue like this. There is no doubt that the disaster in Haiti is incredibly tragic. Whenever something so devastating occurs to our fellow human beings, we feel obligated to assist in any way we can. Americans are so well off in comparison to much of the world population. The wealth is accompanied by the responsibility to use it for the betterment of others.

     As a world power, the United States has the duty to aid those less fortunate. I believe that Americans should do all that they can to help the Haitians recover from this disaster. The focus should be on getting the country back on its feet; however, long-term aid is rarely a good idea. If the United States gets too involved in the long term there is a possibility that Haiti could become too dependent. The best option is to help Haiti deal with the immediate effects of the disaster, such as providing food, water, shelter, medical care, etc.

     I’d like to say that we could get the Haitian government in the right mindset to fix the pre-existing problems that aggravated the disaster, but this would involve decades of involvement in the Haitian government. The United States does not need to get itself into another situation where it does not know when to back out. Unfortunately, I think Haiti needs to be left to its own devices. Most likely the problems will not be remedied and such a disaster may happen again, but the United States should not to try to fix another country. Immediate aid is absolutely necessary but extensive meddling is not.

 

Comments

[Amanda Rigby]

Firstly, I agree with, and mentioned in my own post, about the obligation we feel when neighboring countries experience such a tragedy. I believe a person's moral obligation is far greater than the supposed obligation whose validity is debated against. As humans, all of us, we should give help where help is needed. The United States is a world power, much more well off than Haiti, the poorest country in America. Despite our woes of a recession, our issues here are not as large as those there and this is what we need to become more aware of. As Americans, we will prevail through the rough patch we are experiencing because we have obtainable resources and the ability to rebuild. Unlike us, Haiti does not have such abilities. We are very lucky to live in a promising country where opportunity is always available. I think we take advantage of the resources we have here. I do not believe there is any reason not to give some to those less fortunate than ourselves.
Second, I like your note that we should help from a distance for if we get too close and too involved, Haiti will become a dependent. Again, the US has problems of its own and does not need dependents to latch on and add to the issues of our own country. I agree that we need to help Haiti with immediate effects, such as new shelters, schools, natural resources, and money to rebuild. The country of Haiti needs to become more modernized in order to become and remain one in good standing. If a disaster was to happen again, they would not survive. Nations with industry and technology can better survive natural disasters. We need to preach the methods of ‘going green’ in order to avoid the expansion of global warming which will eventually lead to another natural disaster.
As you pointed out, the government of Haiti needs to develop greater as well. They need their own means of money management, leaders, laws, and regulations in order to create a solid, successful country. Yes, I agree that we should not simply fix the country, but I do believe they are in need of our help because they are without so many resources that it is proving seemingly impossible to rebuild alone.

[Barbosa729]

Erin, your analysis of America’s capabilities to help others is very well done. Your ability to know about America and compare to the outside world is very nicely presented. I also agree with many of the points you made, considering we had similar thoughts. You also made a very important statement that I had not taken into consideration. “The focus should be on getting the country back on its feet; however, long-term aid is rarely a good idea. If the United States gets too involved in the long term there is a possibility that Haiti could become too dependent.” If the United States provides sufficient aid to a country in this predicament, they may find themselves in a predicament themselves. America also needs help in their own country, and for them to dedicate time to another country is very nice and helpful, but the problems within one’s country must be presented first. I think you stretch your assumption of time when you mentions decades, but in overall you made some logical and smooth points that are open to discussion. I feel that if you were to present this plan to the United States government, they would take it into consideration, but it would take some time to develop a well developed and organized plan. “More than a million displaced people still live under tents and tarpaulins. International donors promised Haiti $5.3 billion at a March 2010 donor’s conference. But reconstruction involving better buildings and roads has barely begun. Officials’ sole point of pride six months after the earthquake — that disease and violence had been averted — vanished with the outbreak of cholera.” With these issues still in existence, I do believe there is a need for change, but the United States needs to be very careful with their relationship with the Haitians.