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Haiti continued to underperform under a series of dictators. Between 1957 and 1986, the Duvaliers, starting with Francois Duvalier (Papa Doc) ruled Haiti. He died in 1971, giving way to his son, Baby Doc. It was during this reign that Haiti became one of the first countries in the Western hemisphere to be devastated by AIDS. There followed a collapse of the tourist industry, and Baby Doc had to flee in 1986. In 1986, Baby Doc fled Haiti due to social unrest. Jean Aristide was installed in 1994, but stayed for only 9 months... When the earthquake hit, he made requests to be allowed back in the country.
Prior to the 1980s, Haiti had been relatively self sufficient in food. Haitians had become efficient at growing their "West African Rice," which they had done for two hundred years, among other starchy foods like maize and cassava. Decline had set in during the later years because of loss of soil fertility, soil erosion, deforestation etc. Food aid to help feed the poor had pushed Haitian farmers out of business, worsening the agricultural decline. Professionals started leaving as did foreign investments (1-5).
In the early 1980s, when the HIV/AIDS epidemic was documented in the USA among young homosexual men, the other group found to be at risk was that of new Haitian immigrants, because of their underlying malnutrition. In fact, this came to be known as "The Haitian connection": "The health status of the new immigrants mirrored their poor economic conditions; TB, parasite infections, salmonellosis, malaria and malnutrition were common." A look at Haitian society on the island helps explain why: "90% of the population is made up of powerless farmers... The Haitian farmer... is one of the poorest in the world... Wealth lives adjacent to abject poverty... voodoo thrives amidst Catholicism." Haiti has the highest HIV/AIDS rates in the Western Hemisphere. According to the UN, 6% of the population is infected with HIV. And the government "will not be able to provide the resources to educate the nations next generation" (6).
By many indicators, SSA is readily comparable to Haiti. HIV/AIDS rates are much higher, especially in the Eastern and South African regions, as are infant mortality rates and maternal deaths. Food scarcity has become a problem, just as it is in Haiti. Medical services are also scarce in both regions. Kenyan women (and, I suspect, other sub-Saharan African women) also eat "stones" in order to get the antenatal minerals that their diets no longer provide. This is because the traditional cereals like the millets and sorghum, which they no longer eat as much, were better sources of minerals, including calcium, than the current dietary staple of white hybrid maize. Sub-Saharan Africa's infant mortality, malnutrition and AIDS rates are among the highest in the world, just like Haiti's. But at least Haiti has been independent for far longer than SSA countries. So what does the future hold for the continent's peoples (6-7)?
Haitians have tried, considering their humble beginnings. But they need to do more, in order to truly free themselves. Like in sub-Saharan Africa, leadership remains the main problem. When Hurricane Jean hit, 2,400 people perished. The earthquake that hit Haiti recently has been described as the worst in its 200 year history. Her neighbor, the Dominican Republic, has remained largely untouched by the extremes of weather. And there is a very good reason: "Deforestation and soil erosion worsen the impact of hurricanes... (flying over the island), you can see the green forest stop, and it’s barren on the Haitian side." Haiti, like SSA needs leaders that respect the population enough to initiate real changes that can help integrate them into the international community (4).
Selected References
1. Haiti: infoplease.com.
2. Roy Carroll: 'Haiti: Mud cakes become staple diet as cost of food soars beyond a family's reach.' The Guardian, 29th July, 2008.
3. Haiti: People to People Incl. The Haiti Project Newsletter, 1986.
4. Karen Fragola:' Haiti: A Historical Perspective.' Newsweek, 16th January 2010.
5. Josiane George: 'Trade and Disappearance of Haitian Rice.' Ted Lase Studies, Number 725, June 2009.
6. K Kahil: The AIDS Epidemic. Hutchinson Co. Publishers, 1984.
7. The Haiti Micah Project - available on the internet
8. Gathura N: 'City Women Eating Tonnes of stones per week'. Daily Nation.
9. IPS: ‘The Second Scramble for Africa Starts New form of investment reminiscent of colonialism.' 26th September, 2009.
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Writer Profile
Norma
I am an African community health worker interested in cultural practices. This is because I have come to believe that culture is a foundation for development. I am especially interested in food culture for the same reasons.
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Comments
great review Maria Sol Fernandez Rial | Feb 28th, 2010
It is very good to find such an enriching review. I was looking for one and I really enjoyed it. Thanks!
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