Haitian Americans feel Haiti earthquake, aftershocks
Maya Rhodan and Tahirah Hairston/Contributing writers
Issue date: 1/31/10 Section: Neighborhood
"My mother called me in tears. She is from the most devastated part of Haiti, Port au Prince," Previlon said. Previlon has never been to Haiti, but she grew up in a section of Brooklyn, New York, where the Haitian culture is abundant and has given her a connection to her parent's homeland.
"In Haiti, people don't relocate too often," she said. "So many of the people my mother left either perished or are missing."
Previlon's mother is a nurse and has left for Haiti on a medical rescue mission. The earthquake has triggered a massive relief response from all over the world.
"This disaster shows how countries come together to help," said Ivon Alceme, co-host of a Washington-based Haitian radio show, 'Konbit Lakay,' on WPFW, 83.9 FM. " But, in Haiti we need to prepare more for things like this."
Alceme took a swipe at Haiti's legendary week or incompetent leadership. ?"When leaders are elected, we need to be sure that there is a structure in place to protect as many people as possible," he said. "It was obvious that we as Haitians don't have that. It's sad."
The Haitian government, he said, has historically been unable to protect its people from the aftermath of disasters. ?In September 2008, hurricanes left the port city of Gonaives, home of many farmers, submerged under water. ?To this day, Gonaives is still contaminated and destroyed. The majority of its residents have deserted it to find work in other places.
Alceme hopes the same does not happen to Port au Prince, but wonders what will happen when the stories from Haiti are yesterday's news.
"The buildings that were destroyed belong to rich people, so when they rebuild Port au Prince they will build for the rich people," Alceme said. "There are over 3 million people in Port au Prince, which is too many, but poor people move there from the countryside in search of work and a better way of life."
Food, medical supplies now are nice, but how will the people continue to benefit from the help down the road?" Alceme wondered.
"I'm afraid the poor will be left behind. The food, water, help is coming now and that's fine, but what happens when CNN, FOX are gone? Who's going to follow the little people when they are forced to leave?" Alceme asked. ?"When the media leave, I want to go down there and make sure the rebuilding is not for a few. It's for everybody."
"In Haiti, people don't relocate too often," she said. "So many of the people my mother left either perished or are missing."
Previlon's mother is a nurse and has left for Haiti on a medical rescue mission. The earthquake has triggered a massive relief response from all over the world.
"This disaster shows how countries come together to help," said Ivon Alceme, co-host of a Washington-based Haitian radio show, 'Konbit Lakay,' on WPFW, 83.9 FM. " But, in Haiti we need to prepare more for things like this."
Alceme took a swipe at Haiti's legendary week or incompetent leadership. ?"When leaders are elected, we need to be sure that there is a structure in place to protect as many people as possible," he said. "It was obvious that we as Haitians don't have that. It's sad."
The Haitian government, he said, has historically been unable to protect its people from the aftermath of disasters. ?In September 2008, hurricanes left the port city of Gonaives, home of many farmers, submerged under water. ?To this day, Gonaives is still contaminated and destroyed. The majority of its residents have deserted it to find work in other places.
Alceme hopes the same does not happen to Port au Prince, but wonders what will happen when the stories from Haiti are yesterday's news.
"The buildings that were destroyed belong to rich people, so when they rebuild Port au Prince they will build for the rich people," Alceme said. "There are over 3 million people in Port au Prince, which is too many, but poor people move there from the countryside in search of work and a better way of life."
Food, medical supplies now are nice, but how will the people continue to benefit from the help down the road?" Alceme wondered.
"I'm afraid the poor will be left behind. The food, water, help is coming now and that's fine, but what happens when CNN, FOX are gone? Who's going to follow the little people when they are forced to leave?" Alceme asked. ?"When the media leave, I want to go down there and make sure the rebuilding is not for a few. It's for everybody."
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