Haiti Panel discussion

From SID MEETINGS

This week we had a panel discussion about the crisis in Haiti. Members of the panel included:

Warner Woodworth, a professor at the Marriott School of Business.
Joan Dixon, the faculty advisor of SID.
Hillary Morris, of Globus Relief.
Katie Walther, of Healing Hands for Haiti.
Illens Dort, of International Aid Serving Kids.
Thomy Bosquet, BYU undergraduate who served his mission in Haiti.

The panel provided a variety of perspectives on development issues, problems with the response to the earthquake and long term development strategies in Haiti. The response to the crisis and the amount of aid has been strong since the 7.0 earthquake struck over a week ago. However, much of the aid has been difficult to disburse to the people on the ground. Many people have been frustrated to see news pictures of aid simply sitting on the tarmac. Before the earthquake, Haiti had significant infrastructure problems. Some roads would be simply impassible and it was very difficult to move anything very efficiently on good days in Haiti before the earthquake. The infrastructure problems have only been aggravated by the earthquake's destruction.

The Haitian director of Healing Hands for Haiti has to worry about missing friends, family and employees at the same time as making preparations to receive aid and evaluating needs for the group that they had been working with. Similarly, Illens said that it took four days for him to get in contact with his parents. Arranging for transportation to Haiti and getting aid on the ground will take time.

From SID MEETINGS

The panel seemed to agree that the initial response will probably be most effectively handed by the experienced international organizations like the UN. NGOs will be able to help more once the initial response phase has passed and the work of rebuilding had begun.

In regards to the idea of rebuilding and spurring long-term growth, we asked members of the panel what they thought of the passage from David Brook's column in the New York Times listed in the previous post. In response to this Joan Dixon said that each crisis has two elements: danger and opportunity.  The earthquake has created dangerous situations in Haiti but there will likely be opportunities for Haiti to develop in new ways in the coming years.

Warner Woodworth reminded SID members that there is more they can do for Haiti than writing a check, than praying, or being grateful for our blessings. We should think about what we can do that could help Haiti years from now. He invited students who are interested in getting involved in development projects in the future to email him. (His contact information is available at the link above).

From SID MEETINGS

Thomy expressed his feelings for the people of Haiti and the need that exists for a deeper commitment to Haiti's development.

We are very grateful for the members of the panel.  The panel was very informative and helped us think about the problems in Haiti in a new light.

(For people interested in what people from Utah county are doing with Healing Hands for Haiti, check out this facebook group.)