Disorganised Diaspora on Fringe of Post-Quake Decisions

Disorganised Diaspora on Fringe of Post-Quake Decisions, by Carla Murphy, Inter Press Service News Agency, April 12, 2010 For years, Haitians living overseas have been the lifeline of the troubled country, sending billions of dollars to relatives back home. But now, as the international community debates and pledges aid in the aftermath of the earthquake, many Haitians in the United States are feeling left out of the decision-making process. Nowhere was this more evident than last week as delegates from more than 140 countries convened at the United Nations for a conference to raise money for the reconstruction of Haiti. At the end of the day, roughly 9.9 billion dollars had been pledged over 10 years. Of that amount 5.26, billion is for the first 18 months, according to U.N. officials. More...