Next Step Toward Haiti's Recovery Is Reconstruction, Says Congressional Black Caucus

By Antonia Aguilar
University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

Jesse Jackson and Haiti's Ambassador to the U.S., Raymond Joseph, were among those on hand Wednesday as members of the Congressional Black Caucus held a meeting to discuss efforts necessary to rebuilding Haiti.

"This is a long-distance struggle, not a short impulsive reaction to the earthquake," said Jackson. "Beyond the issue of rescue and relief is the issue of reconstruction."

Ambassador Joseph said that the new Haiti should implement green technologies in its reconstruction.

"Haiti has to harness the Sun, has to harness the wind," he said.

Haiti: As Hurricanes Loom, UN Urges World to Give

Haiti needs continued generous support from the international community, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, said during a visit to Port-au-Prince Sunday. Just over two months after an earthquake destroyed much of the capital and surrounding areas, only 49 per cent of the $1.4 billion dollar flash appeal for funds to help reconstruction efforts has been subscribed by international donors.

“For the foreseeable future, the government will need international assistance to simply cover its payroll— teachers, police, doctors and nurses.” said Ban. “The international community has been extraordinarily generous. Our challenge is to maintain this spirit of solidarity through the upcoming donors conference and beyond. ” added Ban, after meeting Haitian President Rene Preval to discuss the agenda for the international donors conference at UN headquarters on March 31st.

Finding shelter for those left without a home by the quake is still a top priority, the Secretary General said. He estimated UN agencies have provided tents and tarps to approximately 60 percent of the 1.3 million people believed homeless and that the remaining number would get temporary shelter by the end of April.

“We are planning on building more durable collective or community housing for the largest number of people possible before the start of hurricane season in June. If there is one thing Haiti does not need, it is another humanitarian catastrophe.” Weather forecasters are already predicting an active hurricane season in the Atlantic this year.

72 Survivors Found In Haiti, More Relief On The Way

By Benny Martinez - University of New Mexico/Talk Radio News Service

72 is the new official number of victims that have been rescued from the rubble in Haiti, U.S. officials told reporters Tuesday. Of these, 40 were rescued by American search and rescue teams.

43 international urban search and rescue teams are still searching Port-au-Prince and its surrounding areas for survivors that are trapped in the aftermath of last week’s earthquake.

Major General Dan Allyn, Deputy Joint Task Force Commander, said that nearly 2,000 more American soldiers are on their way to assist in areas west of Port-au-Prince, which have seen limited amounts of help since last week's earthquake. Allyn also said that 4,000 pounds of food and water are on their way, along with the USNS Comfort, a naval ship with full medical capabilities.

“We will continue to do that to expand our reach and reduce the suffering for the people of Haiti,” Allyn said.

Tim Callaghan, a leader for the Disaster Assistance Response Team, stressed that “non-food items” are continuing to make their way to Haiti via military aircraft. Some of the “non-food” items specified include: water containers, plastic tarps for makeshift shelters, mobile water treatment facilities and World Health Organization medical kits.

Callaghan said that the Haitian government is prioritizing the distribution of these relief items to areas they believe are in most need.

Gates Defends Pace Of Haitian Relief Effort

Defense Secretary Robert Gates Friday defended the pace at which U.S. resources are reaching Haiti.

"I don't know how this government could have acted faster," Gates said during a press briefing with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Admiral Michael Mullen. "There are just some certain facts of life."

Although the U.S. began mobilizing its relief efforts shortly after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake ravaged Haiti, a large portion of supplies slated to be delivered via-boat will not arrive until this weekend.

The defense secretary outlined a number of limitations, including the speed of the vessels, the small size of Haiti's airport and the collapse of the country's infrastructure.

According to both Gates and Mullen, using airdrops to provide necessary resources was rejected early-on in the planning stages. Gates noted that there were concerns that dropping supplies onto the distressed Caribbean nation could lead to riots. Thus far, according to Gates, there has been some level of scavenging for food and water, coupled with minor looting.

By Monday, Haiti is expected to have access to 9,000-10,000 U.S. troops, both on and off-shore. According to Mullen, there is still a possibility that more can be sent as details of the country's status develop.

"We are poised to do that," said Mullen. "[The U.S.] always has a ready brigade."