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October 28th, 2010
11:35 AM ET
Blindsided in the Third World
[cnn-video url=http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/10/28/dnt.gupta.haiti.cholera.aid.cnn]
By Sanjay Gupta I visited one of the largest warehouses in Port-au-Prince yesterday. It is a large structure behind a big blue gate and a handful of security guards. I went to get a better understanding of how lifesaving supplies are distributed in the middle of a cholera outbreak. Outside, workers from aid organizations were also waiting to take supplies to patients in St. Marks, the epicenter of the outbreak. It quickly became clear that it was going to be a long day. One of the workers told me she had been waiting for several hours to pick up the supplies despite the fact that she had all the necessary paperwork and authorizations. No one was available to help her. After sitting there frustrated nearly the whole day, she eventually left empty-handed, telling me this wasn’t at all unusual. “Typical Third World red tape,” she added. I eventually made my way into the warehouse, where I expected to see the shelves bare from the recent demand for supplies to treat thousands of patients with cholera. Instead, the warehouse was almost full, with boxes of lifesaving IV fluids sitting there since July, as evidenced by their packaging slips. I asked to speak to someone in charge of the warehouse, and was told I would need to wait a few more hours. I waited. Three hours later, I met the health management adviser. “We are doing the best we can,” he started. “Look, we saved thousands of lives with supplies,” he added. That was true, yet it still was baffling to me that so many simple lifesaving supplies were in a warehouse in Haiti, had been there for months, and were still sitting there, while hundreds of people died. “ We were blindsided,” he admitted. “No one expected a cholera outbreak.” There hadn’t been a case of cholera in Haiti for many decades and it is still not clear why one is happening now. “But, still, the supplies are sitting there in tens of thousands of boxes. Why didn’t you distribute them?” I asked. “We have to plan ahead,” he said. “We can’t simply send all of our supplies to one area. What if Port-au-Prince was hit tomorrow?” And, therein lies one of the big challenges with aid distribution. Trying to meet the immediate need in a disaster while also anticipating future demands. I have seen it happen over and over again in Haiti since the earthquake. It is a bitter irony. People die for lack of lifesaving supplies, even though the supplies were right there in front of them. Of course, in this case, the supplies in question were not expensive medicines or difficult to transport technology. In this case, it was simple and cheap. It was rehydration packets and IV fluids. In the year 2010, there are still people on their hands and knees begging for clean water. |
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Get a behind-the-scenes look at the latest stories from CNN Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Senior Medical Correspondent Elizabeth Cohen and the CNN Medical Unit producers. They'll share news and views on health and medical trends - info that will help you take better care of yourself and the people you love. |
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Why not give out the supplies and order more? Save who you can now, try to stop the spread of the disease, worry about the future after you take care of the present. How sickening that this person is watching people die and can save them, but will not.....
The jerk, Mr. Christian Morales, running the warehouse has supplies dating back to July. Holding them so he doesn't run out. This guy does NOT have any common sense. And the World Health Org. is the worst. They don't have people in place that know what they are doing. Do not donate to this organization. your money is being wasted.
If only things were as simple as "order more", the bigger fear is if they gave out the supplies to everyone, ordered more and more never came. It's not like they're burdened with an abundant cash flow to replace supplies, heck they have no industry anymore. Would you sell merchandise to someone knowing they wouldn't be able to pay for it?
I agree. Please distribute what you have. I have donated to Haiti relief and I'd like to know that my donation is being used correctly and meaningfully. When you need more supplies, I'll gladly give again. I would think that people who have donated in good faith would like to know that their donation is being used for the purpose it was intended. This inaction is what turns donors off. Can Haiti really afford to do this?
What everyone here fails to understand is that these third world countries are fueled by corruption and graft. If those in charge are not getting paid to distribute these supplies, they will wait until they can sell them. Do not confuse this with any other red tape issues. It is corruption plain and simple.
Kind of distracts from the corruption of Big Pharma.
It may look like that from the outside ,but it is very possible that its not as easy as ordering more as if its alwasy free and readily available.It can also be that it may not be up to him to release the supplies, most likely those who own those supplies are non-government organizations
Jesus Christ. What is wrong with our government and people with a title? If it happened in Bel-Air, better believe it would be distributed. Where is the CDC and I would like to know their foreign aid policy. Why cant we enforce ours?? I guess our country doesnt know how to enforce distribution...............................................
Who are you talking to? No one posting here is in Haiti, nor does anyone who may be reading this have any influence whatsoever in regards to what is distributed at what time. The US government has absolutely no influence either, so if you could let us know to whom you are speaking, maybe that invisible bureaucrat can cure AIDS, too!
It's a shame that this reporting is so biased and uninformed. First, let me clear the air that there are lots of doctors, nurses, Water Sanitation experts (Watsan) and other medical personnel at the are of the cholera outbreak that brought their own supplies. So my question is....What "aid organzation" shows up to "help" the suffering people of Haiti without any supplies? Next question is what is the government doing? We hear a lot about what aid organizations are not doing, why not focus on the people who are supposed to providing the support? Lastly, Dr. Gupta has been on the air (written and TV) numerous times investigating and reporting on the shortcomings of Aid workers and thier organization......if Dr. Gupta spent half as much time trying to fix what is broken, maybe he would have so much negative things to say about the amazing efforts of thousands of humanitarians.
Greedy Big Pharma, backed by even greedier Republican politicians fed by millions of special interest groups. I hope they all contract cholera.
I was in Haiti in the early '80's. Nothing has changed, it's still thug rule.
@Decayous
"If only things were as simple as "order more", the bigger fear is if they gave out the supplies to everyone, ordered more and more never came."
What makes the people that he is "saving" it for more important than the people that need it NOW!?
This is an outrage! This is totally appalling and unexceptable! Whoever is allowing this medication to sit and not help these people should be visited by every spirit that has passed on!
The warehouse manager and the government official in charge of the warehouse are waiting to be paid under the table before they hand out the medical supplies!!
When knowledgeable persons assert the world is controlled by secret societies (who control institutions such as the World health Organization, the IMF, CIA,ect) they are generally castigated for being 'conspiracy theorists' for believing the world's elites have decided to eliminate 80% or more of the worlds' population via wars, creating economic distress and pandemics and,deliberately withholding lifesaving medicines to those in distress....I sent money to Haiti to assist rebuilding homes; and along w/ the WHO(who had a big role deliberately spreading HIV to kill of black people)and jackasses like Bill Clinton preventing reconstruction efforts, once again the demonic and devilish nature of the elite white classes is on full display.
The Dominican Republic should expand its border West to include Haiti. No more Haiti. Issue resolved.
Not defending the WHO, or the shameful amount of supplies in the warehouse when there are 4,000 patients in need of them, just wanted to point out that the person in the video is from Sean Penn's organization, JP HRO. Why wasn't this fact pointed out in the video? Not that she should have been denied the supplies. Not at all. They are on the ground helping and should get the supplies they need.
As an expert in reading between the lines and a professional spiritualist I am positive greed and the desire to kill is the answer to this dilemma. This area is well know for its abuse of humanity. Those who run things need more death, they need a body count a soul count. Power is derived from stealing life force. To starve thousands will have a resultant force for the group who murders these souls. Think of a soul like a credit in a game. The more credits you have the more power you maintain. The powers that control life and death on a grand scale have been playing this game for tens of thousands of years. These souls were promised to a power source and now this is the delivery process. War has always been about power. What if the souls of the dead are the source of the power? This thinking keeps me illuminated. May it illuminate others.
Reading thru this.....So many people blaming the United States Government and even directing the anger at Big Pharma and the Republicans (Scott) – did you not read the article???????
This happened at, and I quote, "one of the largest warehouses in Port-au-Prince" – not in the US, not US controlled, not Big Pharma controlled and sure as hell not Republican controlled.
Decayous, it's saline and glucose solution. It's not difficult or expensive to obtain or make. Supplie shouldn't be limited of such a simple treatment, if it's sitting there and people are dying NOW they should send it out NOW.
It's Bush's fault!
wait...wait...let's all go to Hollywood for a sing-off THEN supplies will come. Welcome to the new king of the mountain. MEDS
The place was corrupt, dis functional before the earthquake, why would it be any different now, just more to steal.
From a former Medical Supply NCO, USArmy. It is as simple as shipping it out and ordering more. As a matter of fact, the supplies in the warehouse are "shelf life" items and will expire if they are not already expired. Once they expire they may or may not be any good for anyone.
This is a travesty!
I cant believe these things are just sitting there!
But maybe he does have a plan – what if he knows that he wont get anymore product until 6 mos down the line?!
how to Improve Concentration
Yes, I agree. Use what is available now, to help all those who are ill and in need now and stop the spread of the disease. Request more of what is essential to restock supplies. But beyond donations for these supplies, who is immediately able to use what is given. Who can most effectively and actively make use of it. Commenting seems rather ineffective. What can we do, Dr Gupta, to really get these supplies distributed and put to use? Thank you for bringing the facts to our attention – is there more we can do?
Those in control are keeping the supplies for their families, friends and military. They are going to let the general population die.
Totally agree with you on that
No supplies leave that warehouse unless the 'warehouse manager' or the guy he works for get paid. Any other reason given for not releasing those aid supplies is pure BS.
Another reason not to donate to relief efforts under this completely corrupt regime.
The only relief aid gets to the rich.
Yup its terrible!
how to Improve Concentration
Just horrible
I dont know who is in control here – or how they got to be!
Improve Concentration
All i can say they r selfish and probably looking for some kind of money to able to release the supposedly life saving items for people who are in need.
I dont get why or how something like this could even be possible
how to concentrate
That is messed up. People are dying and they worry about the future. There won't be a future if you don't take care of the present.
test
well put
Improve Concentration
In a previous life, I worked in emergency response for around 10 years with a couple of large non-profits you all know the names of. This problem in this article is all too common...call it the FEMA effect. You have people in cubicles making administrative or executive decisions based on the feedback of a few, or following a rigid process that was designed in advance and does not allow for input of new problems at hand.
This happened too in 2004 when we were all told of a flu-vaccine shortage, so flu shots were rationed to only those who were perceived to need them. By March of 2005, there were 36,000,000 wasted doses of flu-vaccine. Curiously, the same thing happened with the H1N1 flu vaccine for most Americans, who could not get it until spring of the next flu season. After the horrendous 2004 Asia/Pacific earthquake, there is still money that was donated that has not been spent yet...all due to bureaucracy. Some red tape has a place, actually. But there's far too much of it when the time comes to release supplies.
The reality of it is that during disaster response, the very individuals who want to help and make a difference fall victim to being overwhelmed, their own ego, sympathy for one group (hence holding up supplies for them if/when needed), or simply lack of updated information. After Katrina, only a handful of groups were going in to rescue people and animals. If you should ever read the story of those groups, you'll see they basically had to ignore 'authority' and cross yellow tape zones. What I never understood, and I suffer a lasting bit of frustration over this, is why administrators in government and agencies, no matter how well intentioned, think they can tell professional responders that "an area is too dangerous, you cannot go in yet". I think that's a decision that emergency response personnel can make, since they do it everyday.
I will never know for sure, but my guess is this warehouse is under the control of a disjointed body of people who push paper. Even with the reporting of this article, it probably won't get fixed. Recall that we saw an article around 2 months after Haiti's earthquake noting the exact same thing....warehouse full of supplies just sitting there while people dying. If this problem still isn't fixed 8 months later, I'm not too optimistic it will be fixed any time soon.
Excellent post, John. I hope you're high up in decision making somewhere.
I agree – it is so frustrating to see this tragedy and waste. A friend was in Haiti with a NGO helping after the Haiti earthquake. He was just explaining how his medical camp meals conisted of rice and beans, while the UN camp had a full cafeteria and open bar for their staff. Doesn't sound appropriate to me!
There should be some way to manage appropriate relief in crisis situations that helps the people that need it right then – every human deserves help if it is available.
and yet billions are 'lost' in Iraq ...' :-/
By holding up the process these people justify their position and blind themselves to the negative outcomes. What we need is an experienced aid organization that can go in and fire the slackers and clear up the process and, in effect, administer a huge laxative to the pipeline. But who?
I have been working in Haiti for 4 years. I also have seen warehouses filled with medicine and supplies that are not released to patients in need. The Haitian government is in great need of training and modernization. Their problems are not entirely due to corruption. Government programs need administrators with incentives that foster a sense of urgency when disasters strike. If you might be punished for "running out" of supplies you will hoard them rather than use them. I expect such problems to continue for a long time. Maybe the next generation of Haitians will be educated differently. In the meantime the world needs to continue to aid the poor of Haiti. They are innocent and worthy of our efforts.
I agree – hope you could help them out some
How to Improve Concentration
Another reason not to send aid to Haiti. It all just goes to waste. The next thing we'll be hearing about is that all of the cholera supplies have passed their expiration dates and have to be thrown away. The will destroy all of the supplies and throw them into the landfill next to the camps filled with people dying of cholera.
I could not agree with you more. I am a very very giving person, but this is just one of the many reasons I tend not to donate that much to these types of efforts. There always seems to be some selfish idiot with too much authority or power working that does not follow through with passing out releif materials that they had nothing to do with paying for!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a great way to waste while people suffer
Improve Concentration
Why Haiti is Haiti
Our world is paralyzed by fear. Every day you turn on the news and see evidence of our impending doom. Pretty depressing stuff! Fortunately, there's good news! There is hope. See for yourself, visit: Story4.Us/2050.
Dr. Gupta, just bring out the truth behind the corrupt activities going on there! There is no need to get a WHO representative to provide a reasonable explanation for why this needs to be planned. The only thing that matters is that people are dying and all the billions of dollars in aid are being pocketed by unscrupulous individuals.
This is what happens when Gov't runs things
And who besides the gov't should run this or could run it better?
not sure a private company would want to touch this at all – even for pr
Improve Concentration
I have a feeling we are not hearing the whole story, as usual. Either way, I am sick to hear that supplies are not being readily given out as needed. And then you see that some of those boxes have a December expiration date. They have got to get those supplies used.
Its time for the International community to take over Haiti and the day to day running of the Govt. Thse people are incapable of running that country. It is dispicable to see people dying and some idiot runs the warehouse and would not release medicine which will save life. This is unacceptable. Lots of people have donated millions and where is that going ?????? Probably nobody knows ...
So what other side you need to see or here. CNN is showing what is happening right now. There are too many incompetent workers at this warehouse. If they need help distributing supplies the Haiti government should be helping, Over 6 billion was donated to help Haiti, and they have only received less than 900 million. This is a year later, Where is the money?
I don't quite understand. The people who are sick tomorrow are more valuable than those that are sick today? What if another outbreak does NOT happen?
Very disheartening. Mindboggling. Give them the treatment and figure out the red tape later. These people will have this on their conscience for a lifetime
I don't like CNN or any of the main stream media outlests that much anymore. I mostly just check to see what it is they call front page news and then criticize it to feel better about myself or something. But here i have to give credit to CNN and to Gupta. They showed the opinions from both sides but still asked a tough question that sort of leans in a certain direction, why can't we get cheap clean hydration to people in the year 2010?
Just read and enjoy the literature. News will always be tainted somehow.
We got it to them, its on the shelf.
It also would help if the Republican filibuster of the Haiti aid would end so the aid promised after the earthquake could start getting to the people of Haiti who need it the most. Sounds crazy but maybe that aid could be used to help the outbreak if cholera!
The United States has not donated one penny yet to Haiti, due to the Republicans. It is scary if they get in power again.
Didn't you read the article? They got all the supplies, they are just not distributing them. What good is sending them more money going to do? Might as well set the money on fire.
Hello Dr. Gupta,
It is great what you are doing in Haiti. You might also want to take a look at the link below. It gives reasons as to why the Cholera outbreak happened in the first place. While you are down there you might want to take a visit to the cite. I hope you can share this on CNN News.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKu7V7pDLyQ&feature=share
Melissa L
Thanks for sharing this video.
I had to share. I have been trying to share this video all morning. I hope Dr. Gupta or someone goes over there and ask questions as to why these people wastes are being dumped in the near by river. Something must be said!!
And we let the inefficiency of the UN dictate what we do for what reasons? While I strongly believe that the UN started out as a great thing and it can be a great thing...there are some major problems with it and we as a nation may need to act on a more individual basis and demand that the UN clean up its act.
Thanks for sharing this video. It’s great to hear and see the truth from real reporters. Asian countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal etc.) may dump excrement into their rivers because of the size of the countries it’s difficult to trace; but in the Caribbean everyone understands that you cannot pollute the river because that’s where they bathe and drink from. That’s why Caribbean islands are unpolluted the motto is “After God is the Earth!
So when we donate money, is this what happens with it? I am sick to my stomach about the mentality and completed confused as to who is running that warehouse or for that matter the "warehouses" across the world. Are those supplies donated by different organziations? Can they not go in there and get them? I am glad that Sanjay wrote this blog, but what now what?
Good on him for keeping the supplies. We need more people like this guy in the world. You have to look out for number 1.
You do realize, that in his mind you aren't no. 1.
Every day the population of Haiti increases by about 600. Women are encouraged to have babies by churches, foreign organizations, etc. The population or Haiti will double again in 20 years. Many in the US would like for us to absorb millions of Haitians in the years to come. Is this what we want? Birth control should be the number one priority in Haiti. They should have the same policy as China.
I completely agree. Good point sir.
the reason for high birth is the Catholic Church has a big population in Haiti, But you don't see the Church helping the sick.
So now you know what's going on. The real question is, WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT IT???!!!
The Charity workers should storm the stupid warehouse take it and give it to the people dying of Cholera. Lives are at stake!
Let me guess you were going to suggest sending more money... for more supplies for the "future"?
Paperwork over people. So stupid. Doing the best they can? Hate to see what their "worst" is.
Terreble, I cannot understand how these life saving supplies are sitting in the storage while thousand people are dying? And these uneducated selfish people are keeping them all for themselve. So, are they wating for everybody in Haiti to dye, so they would not run out of the spplies? Sick!!!
Learn how to spell DIE and try again
I was right when I decided not to donate. What Haiti needs is to change the whole system.
So you don't want to do anything, absolutely anything, to try to help people who are suffering and in unbelievable need because of the government? I would rather try and fail than not try at all.
No. You had no idea this problem would exist–you simply chose to not donate. At least if you had donated, you could keep faith that it might help someone.
If you have the means to, than you should always help those in need.
Lets just declare Haiti inhabitable and bring the Haitans to the US so Haiti can be re-built properly..
People, I am currently in Haiti working on the cholera response, though not associated with the warehouse in question. I can assure you that these supplies are not being sold, being held for rich families or the military, or anything similar. Without making excuses for the UN, I can say that unless you have actually worked in such emergency situations you cannot comprehend the complexities of getting emergency supplies to the people who need them.
Youre full of it
Complexity?????? What is so complex about taking your trucks and unloading the supplies to hospitals and people who need it? Please explain because I can't seem to understand the complicity part!!!
Well explain these "complexities" then. What are they? Sounds to me it's a bunch of people too afraid to make any decisions to help NOW instead of later.
Well, educate us, tell us about the complexities in getting the supplies from a warehouse to a water supply?
The management system of the warehouses lacks any logic, we are discussing IV fluids and not so expensive products, so what is it that they are lacking? They have had billions of dollars in donations whether as manpower, cash, medications and more, we are talking billions, and they still have an open line to request more if needed, and the manager is saying " we have to plan ahead" ........here is a tip, disperese what you have and make a larger order that for sure will be covered by any of the working organization or NGO at your end!!
This is the reality, "ligitimate corruption" is what we are looking at here, if anyone wants to cure Haiti in a realistic way, "corruption" is what needs to be treated.
This is why so many people are 'tapped out' in terms of responding in donations. There is no oversite from money being collected to turning that same money into necessary supplies to distributing those necessary supplies to people who w/out those same stocked supplies are dying. So yes these same foundations that collect this money from me and other donors need to address why my funds that turn into those supplies are collecting dust on a shelf.
this is why none of my money goes to third world nations. Its pointless anyway,when they run out of those supplies, they will be begging for more,not buying.
Hate to say it, but instead of trying to solve every problem using voodoo, they should just storm the parliament, throw the politicians in jail and start a completely new system. As long as they are singing happily while starving, nothing will happen.
Stop sending supplies and money.
Why are they anticipating a future that does not exist yet. Why are they not choosing to help the people in the moment that the help is needed. These people are choosing their own fate, so good for them. They can continue to wait for all the what if's and watch their friends and families die in front of them now. Paper work is the worst excuse I have ever heard, these people do not love themselves and each other enough to put all the paper work and Bullshit aside, and just HELP!!!!.
Human beings are still infants
Good catch. While their loved ones are dying, they're holding back for something that hasn't happened yet. They need to distribute the supplies and save those who are ill and dying. In 2010, the world is ready and willing to step in and donate what is necessary should Port-au-Prince "be hit tomorrow," but will become less willing to help as they see that aid sits in warehouses rather than doing what it was meant to do. Of course they have to plan ahead, but at the cost of lives being impacted now? If it was my loved one, I'd be outraged that they let them go untreated and possibly die "just in case" the disease spreads elsewhere. The sooner they get the infected healed, the less chance of the disease spreading.
There seems to be much conversation about why the supplies are not getting to where they would do the most help. The answer is very simple. Blackmarket... Unless you can pay for the medicine, you will die.
thats how the world is these days. Ppl suffering and they gtting no help! It sickens me! The punk needs to send out the supplies!
Haiti has a huge cash stockpile right now from all the donations.
they were given more cash in donations within a short amount of time, than the whole country makes in decades...
if Haiti, or any country cant figure out how to distribute supplies to thier own people.. well, let nature takes it course.
If you are foolish enough to keep donating to this country, well, thats your fault.
how about donating your money to united way or somethign that will help your local community. or hell, branch out and help your own country instead of another 3rd world country. its not like we dont have our own issues, our own homeless, our own unemployed, our own diseases, and sickness.
Thinning the herd and we're all standing in line, holding a number. Most of us are considered to be of no value to the global elite. Holding onto these needed supplies is a humanitarian crime and I believe it is intentional. Too bad those people don't have the resources to strong-arm their way to what they need.
Let's blame this on George Bush
this is similar to the reason most people came to america so many hundreds of years ago–to cut through red tape and the established way of doing things and start fresh with new ideas and rules for changing times– yet there are not many new lands to escape to and take over and that is not the answer to the problem of the need for change anyways. To find a peaceful solution we need to come together with our minds using our voices and laying down weapons. We need to try to simplify our lives more and share more. This aid needs to be distributed now. If they are so worried about the future they should abandon the rebuilding project anyways because haiti is expected to have another disastrous earthquake 20 or so years from now. Are they trying to say they would be wasting the current supplies on people in the event other people get sick? I like to believe in the goodness of people in that we will come together to help out if it comes to that –like right after the earthquake all that donated
Pay the bribes to the right people and those supplies will fly off the shelf.
For the people in complete desperation in Haiti (a lot of people), Can't they take home remedies meanwhile? trying anything is better than dying. I've heard about taking Garlic to kill this disease and many others. And taking that along with a Water, Sugar, Salt Mixture (like poorman's Gatorate)? Wouldn't that help. There's got to be water, sugar, salt, and garlic over there somewhere. Again, anything is good to try when there's not enough medical attention and your other option is to die. Feedback please
There is water but precious little of it is clean. Workers, such as myself, can attest to people gathering water at broken pipes, puddles, etc. Volunteers regularly become ill despite precautions. An open mouth in the shower, a rinsed toothbrush under a faucet – and voila you are desperately ill.
When temperatures soar, people are desperate. If it were as simple as looking at water to tell if it is contaminated, it would be easier. Try to imagine a world where even tap water can kill you. Then imagine you are a kid who does not know better or a mother desperately trying to care for her ill child.
It is hard to imagine if you have not been in such circumstances.
One reason why this might have happened. Please look below and share.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKu7V7pDLyQ
mindboggling.....
How about doing a quick graph....we have x many places who MAY need it and we have X that DOES need it.....and distribute SOME at LEAST to those dying. Safe a life NOW.....we can't all just sit back and say "what if"...if we live our lives with "what if" we might as well just not live at all....
This story is very disturbing...I hope it's print does something to get this aid moving.
I still think of Louisiana constantly.....our own country couldn't manage to get aid to those who needed it.....back then, I was ready to jump in my car and drive down with supplies.....if several hundred of us did this, it at least would have helped.
Say Wyclef you want to help your people? Then get over there and stop this NOW!!! ( ransom money for supplies that were donated). This will continue to happen until the corrupt government gets out of the way.
the U.N. needs to do they jobs -_-
I would not go over there with this going on sean penn and the dr need to run for there lives it is called naturl seleaction the pones that will dye let them go this country needs less people anyway
I am involved very closely with a releif organazition and it costs us $5000 to get a container to Hati, but another $5000 in payoffs to get the supplies released. I know of at least one other organazation that is holding tons of supplies untill something can be done. All this just shows how totaly worthless the UN is. If it were worth their salt they should be bring pressue down on the Hatian officals.
Wasn't Bill Clinton in charge with aid relief? I mean, if he's to busy running around to help the liberals in for elections, why did he accept the position? Just because is "cool", political good move and show to the world the human side of the Clinton's?
People are dying there. This is real life. Put a real leader in charge.
Bill C. was/is in charge of ensuring the Haitian Gov’t doesn’t squander or line their pockets with the money that is being donated, he is not in charge of getting supplies out of the warehouse(s) and to the hospitals or where they are needed.
Another shining example of the corruption that exists in Haiti. I didn't fall for the last relief effort asking for funds, and I won't be donating a dime to this one either!
The United States has given millions upon millions of dollars to these savages, just to have it be intercepted by their corrupt "government", etc....
I'll buy a bum on the street a meal at Mickey D's in a heartbeat. At least then I know what my money went towards. All of you pitiful suckers who bought into the crap the mass media spoon-feeds you and sent money to Haiti should feel great: your money did nothing but line some drug lord's pocket!
The US has committed millions to Haiti. Very little of the dollars have actually been transfered to Haiti. It is up to each person whether and how much they give. But saying that the Haitians have wasted the disaster recovery funds is not accurate.
Im so confused