"Haiti: The Roots of Power and Powerlessness": Pambazuka

Pan-Africa Voices for Freedom and Justice's writer Rebecca Zausmer writes about the U.S.'s interference with blocking aid at Haiti's airport from entering Port-Au-Prince as well as the impact of Haiti's oppression filled history on its present state.

Jan.21, 2010- Rebecca Zausmer
"The Roots of Poverty and Powerlessness"

It has taken an earthquake of 7.0 magnitude, causing momentous loss of life, to get the world talking about Haiti and its past. As the world digests the tragedy, it begins to remember and to criticize too. Rebecca Zausmer does a round-up of the commentary and analysis that is flowing fast about Haiti and the actors in its history.

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that devastated Haiti on 12 January 2010 continues to devastate. The earthquake has killed tens of thousands and left millions homeless. Casualties now, however, are now being caused by the lack of aid on the ground. Despite the world’s efforts to get aid to Haiti, aid organizations are struggling to get these supplies to the people: ‘little help has reached the many people waiting for help in makeshift camps on streets strewn with debris and decomposing bodies.’ The primary problem; an airport bottleneck. The US military has taken over Port-au-Prince’s small airport, which is currently the main entry point for aid. Aircraft carrying aid supplies are being denied permission to land. There is increasing frustration and confusion as to why the aid that is mounting up at the airport is not being allowed to be distributed. Read more here..