The Real Haiti Election

What is the situation currently in Haiti? What does Secretary Clinton face? Here's an article by stanley Lucas that lays out several possible problems.

Secretary Clinton will face 3 likely scenarios in Haiti by Stanley Lucas

Photo: AP

Hillary Clinton's Visit to Haiti

Clinton is conducting meetings with the government and presidental candidates. She is also promising that the US will not cut off aid to Haiti.

Clinton Meets With Haiti Presidential Candidates

Clinton Visits Haiti Beset by Undecided Election, Delayed Earthquake Aid

Clinton vows to pressure Haiti on election, but not cut off aid

Photo: AP

Secretary of State Clinton Will Visit Haiti

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will travel to Haiti on Sunday to discuss the election crisis with President Preval. Read more.

Clinton to visit Haiti on Sunday
Photo: AFP

Election Report

More on the elections from Stanley Lucas.

US Urges Democracy in Haiti Using Fraudulent Elections Results by Stanley Lucas
Photo: AFP

Op-ed on Duvalier's Return

 

More on the return of Baby Doc. This is an opinion piece that is frank and powerful.

A nightmare returns to Haiti
Photo: AP

Ruling Party Candidate to Leave Race

After botched elections and international pressure it appears ruling party candidite, Jude Celestin, will pull out of the race for president.

Haiti's tainted would-be leader to quit run-off

How does Haiti Recover?

Why is Haiti so broken? What are the problems? Are there any solutions? This article from Foreign Policy Magazine takes a closer look and offers some ideas.

Remember Haiti?: It's that big island near Cuba that no one likes to mention
Photo from the article.

Haiti Reconstruction Slow

Here's a video and an article from the Voice of America discussing the recovery efforts in Haiti.

One Year After Haiti Earthquake, Reconstruction is Slow

One of Baby Doc's Victims Speaks Out

Let's not forget Baby Doc led Haiti by terror and fear. Here's a victim's story.

Haiti terror victim recalls hell of Baby Doc's jails

Photo: AP

What Should Haiti do with Baby Doc?

This article recaps Haiti's history with bad leadership and poses questions about Haiti's fuure.

Even the gods seem to have forsaken Haiti


Photo: AFP

New Cholera Figures

194,095 infected. 3,819 deaths. Choera is having a hard time making headlines with the rest of the news going on in Haiti. Here's an update.

PAHO: Health Cluster Bulletin Cholera Outbreak in Haiti – #15

Photo: AP

Why did Baby Doc Return to Haiti?

That is the question everyone is asking. Why did Baby Doc return to Haiti? Why now? What does he want?

Haiti's "Baby Doc" is back: but for love or money?

Opinion: Now We Know -- 'Baby Doc' Just Wants to 'Help' Haiti

CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES
Lawyer: Duvalier wants U.S. entity to disburse frozen funds

Photo credit: Reuters/St-Felix Evens

Haiti's Democracy Threatened

With the election mess and the return of Duvalier could Haiti's attempt to govern herself threatened?

Here's an article that thinks so.
Haiti - Politic : The Democracy is in danger...

India demands that the UN focus recovery and not the election.
Stay out of Haiti politics, India to UN

Here's the UN's statement to memebr states about it's policy regarding Haiti.
Member States Urged to Prevent Haiti’s Electoral Process Distracting from Earthquake-Recovery Efforts

This is an opinion piece asking if the international community is doing more harm than good.
Haiti aftermath: Self-government still a great fear

US Deports Haitians

US resumed deportations of illegal Haitians. They had stopped because of the earthquake.

US deports first Haitians since earthquake

The photo is mine.

UN Asks Haiti to Resolve Election Crisis

Everyone is calling on Haiti to end the election crisis. But no one seems to understand that the Haitian government doesn't fuction. How can they end the crisis?

UN Urges Haiti to End Political Crisis

Photo: UN / Mark Garten

Haiti Reconstruction

Haiti's reconstruction is now caught in a political mess. How can the country rebuild when there is no government?

Haiti’s reconstruction stumbles through political quagmire
Photo: AP

Haitian Refugees

Here are a couple of interesting stories about Haitians coming to the US after the earthquake. The first link has video.

Haiti Earthquake Refugees Thriving in Miami Schools

U.S. Sees Success in Immigration Program for Haitians

Photo: J.B. Reed for The New York Times

Election Mess in Haiti

The US has warned the Preval government that it must abide by the decision to remove their canidate from the election. No clear word on how the elections will procede.

Haiti - Elections : Haiti risks losing the support of the United States...

US warns Haiti over election changes


Photo: AFP

Aristide Wants to Return

Now, Aristide is talking about returning to Haiti. This would only serve to cause more chaos.

Aristide Says He Wants to Return to Haiti

Aristide Says He Is Ready to Return to Haiti, Too
Photo: Reuters

What's Up 'Baby Doc'?

The situation concerning Baby Doc's return to Haiti is still confusing and murky. There are conflicting reports almost every hour. He's going to leave. He's going to stay. He's under arrest. He's not under arrest. Here's some of the latest.

Did Baby Doc Duvalier Return to Haiti to Pressure Préval in the Election?
 
Duvalier aides see a return to power
 
Metro area lawyers to meet with ‘Baby Doc' in Haiti
 
Haiti in UN Security Council
 
Why Did Baby Doc Duvalier Return to Haiti? 
 
Haiti's 'Baby Doc' quietly departs hotel

Photo: AP

US Involvement in Haiti

How has the US been working in Haiti?

Over the Horizon: For U.S. in Haiti, Looking Good is the Hard Part
Photo: US Army

Cholera Still a Factor

Amid political turmoil cholera is still killing Haitians.

Haiti’s other crisis
Associated Press/Photo by Guillermo Arias

Haiti's Past and Baby Doc's Return

Here's a great article delving into the legacy of the Duvaliers and how it still haunts Haiti.

The Ghosts of Duvalier

Baby Doc Charged But wants to be President

Baby Doc Duvalier has been charged with a number of crimes most involving his theft of the national treasury when he fled in 1986. This leaves many people wondering if he'll be charged with human rights crimes for the murder and torture of more than 30,000 Haitians.

It seems Duvalier returned in hopes of be elected president and even though he's been charged it appears he's free to travel about Haiti.

More questions?

Lawyer: 'Baby Doc' Duvalier plans to stay in Haiti

Pictures of the Day: Haiti and Elsewhere
Photo: AP

25 Years of Exile

Baby Doc possibly killed as many as 30,000 people during his reign and then robbed the Haitian people of millions of dollars. Here's more on his time in exile.

Jean-Claude Duvalier's turbulent years in exile
Photograph: Allison Shelley/Getty Images

More on Baby Doc

Here's a thoughtful article by Stanley Lucas who is an expert on Haiti. He delves into history and why possibly Duvalier has returned.

Duvalier Returns to Haiti; Merely a Pawn in the Political Chaos by Stanley Lucas
Photo credit unknown. No infringement intended.

Baby Doc Charged?

Rumors are swirling that Duvalier has been released.

Reports that he has returned to his hotel, possibly under guard. Right now it is unknown if this morning he was arrested or just questioned.

Now, it seems he will be charged.

Baby Doc Arrested

"Baby Doc" Duvalier has been taken into custody in Haiti. No one knows why he returned and now police have taken him from his hotel apparently on orders from President Preval. The former dicator could be charged with crimes stemming from his his bloody reign that lasted from 1971 to 1986.

This is a developing story, so you can check my Twitter feed on the sidebar for new stories. Here are a few stories some current, others are background.

This article has a number of photos from this morning.
Ex-dictator Jean-Claude `Baby Doc' Duvalier taken into custody

'Baby Doc' Duvalier taken into custody after surprise return from exile

Baby Doc's return haunts Haiti
 
Baby Doc Returns To Haiti

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/01/18/2020822/duvaliers-mysterious-haiti-trip.html#ixzz1BPuwRPi7


Photo credit unknown. No copyright infringement intended.

Baby Doc Returns

What is going on in Haiti now? Baby Doc, the former dictator, returned on 1-16-11 and no one seems to know why.

Baby Doc's Shocking Homecoming

“Baby Doc” Duvalier returns to Haiti

Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier returns to Haiti

Haiti: “Baby Doc” Back in P-a-P

Haiti's political twist: Former dictator Jean-Claude 'Baby Doc' Duvalier shows up

Photo: Hector Retamal, AFP / Getty Images

Another Look at Why Haiti Needs New Elections

Here's an opinion article asking for new elections in Haiti.

Keane Bhatt: Haiti needs new elections
Photo: AP

Cholera Update

We need to keep in mind that Cholera is still a real danger to the Haitian people.

Haiti: Cholera Situation Report #32 - 13 January 2011

Haiti cholera outbreak expected to claim more lives, relief officials say
Photo: AP

EDGE Outreach

Here's a story on EDGE Outreach that does water purification in Haiti. I've actually had a lot of contact with this group. They are awesome people that do awesome work.

EDGE Outreach works to end cholera in Haiti
Photo: WAVE 3

Opinion From Israel

Here's an opinion piece from The Jeruselem Post by Micha Odenheimer. He gives a unique view of the situation in Haiti.


Guest Columnist: Rebuilding Haiti
Photo by: Tevel b'Tzedek

Election Violence

Some clashes due to the election mess. Most people are happy with the new report, though.

Haiti: Police arrest dozen in violent protests over stalled elections

Haiti slum clash stokes unrest fears, one killed

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

UN News Centre: Focus Haiti

The United Nations has a huge collection videos, photos and articles concerning Haiti's recovery.

News Focus: Haiti

Special briefing on the situation in Haiti.

US State Dept. Earthquake Coverage

The US State Dept. has a collection of briefings and press releases from the day of the earthquake until the present. It contains photos, video and much more.

2010 Earthquake in Haiti
Photo: US State

Haiti: The First Year of the USG’s Long-Term Commitment

Another article from USAID. It lays out the US governmets plan for helping Haiti.

Haiti: The First Year of the USG’s Long-Term Commitment
Photo Credit:Kendra Helmer/USAID

“As long as I am alive, I have hope”

An article and slidesow from USAID.

“As long as I am alive, I have hope”

http://www.flickr.com/photos/usaid_images/sets/72157625823647720/show/
The photo is mine.

Haiti, One Year Later

Here's an article and video from the US DoD. The video is aeriel shots of the USNS Comfort.

Haiti, One Year Later

Haiti's Government

Foriegn nations are coming under fire for taking control of the recovery efforts.
Haiti's Recovery Must Be Haitian-Led

If the election is a fraud who controls the recovery money?
Rep. Maxine Waters Calls for New Elections in Haiti

How can you rebuild without a government?
Why governance is key to Haiti's reconstruction and development

Interim Haiti Recovery Commission Report

Here's a press release frm the IHRC. It claims $3 billion has been approved to be spent on recovery projects.

Efforts to Build Haiti Back Better are Well Underway with $3 Billion in Approved Projects Ready for Implementation

The photo is mine.

More on Cholera

With the attention on the earthquake this week let's remember the Cholera epidemic.

Why U.S. aid workers refuse to give up

Cholera in Haiti: A Look From the Trenches



Photo: Eric Klein

Death Toll from Haiti Earthquake

As people around the world remembered the earthquake the death toll was officially set at 316,000.
Haitians recall 2010 quake "hell" as death toll upped

Photo credit: Reuters/Eduardo Munoz

US State Dept. Special Briefing

This is a transcript of a teleconference with several state Dept. officials discussing the US work in Haiti. Some important imformation here concerning clean up and how the US is working with Haitian government and others.

Planning for Haiti's Current and Future Infrastructure Needs
The photo is mine.

A Year Later

Another year after story. This one gives some different insights and information.

A year after earthquake, Haiti's recovery remains gridlocked
Photo: Eliana Aponte/Miami Herald/MCT

One Year

One year ago today, I was battling a fever and watching the girls play when the earth moved and more than 300,000 people died. Most have probably read my posts from then and viewed my pictures. But, I couldn't let today pass without  few thoughts.

I wanted to write a long, articulate and thoughtful response. But that didn't happen. Instead, you get a few random scattered thoughts.

The earthquake taught me many things. Everything in this world will be destroyed. Houses. Cars. TVs. Everything. It will all be destroyed  Even the earth beneath our feet cannot be trusted. What does that mean to me? Or to you? How does it affect my choices? How does it affect yours?

Please remember the people of Haiti and say a prayer for them. Real people, just like you and me, have endured one of the most devastating disasters in recent memory. And putting aside stories focusing on evil people, the vast majority have endured with a grace and dignity that does credit to the human race. Despite our falleness and despite people who insist we are only material, it is things like this that show us the truth. We were meant for a better world. The corrupted world is not our home, we need to be redeemed.

List of Haiti Earthquake Videos

Battle for Haiti

A powerful look at the prison break after the earthquake. Amazing video.

CBS Complete Earthquake Coverage

CBS News has posted tons of video, photos and articles regarding the earthquake and the recovery.

Haiti: The Road to Recovery
Photo: CBS

Hope?

This article tells a few stories of the current situation in Haiti. One is of a tent city told to move, yet the people have nowhere to go. There are also three slideshows of powerful images. Some are graphic.

In Haiti, Hope Is the Last Thing Lost
Photo: Julie Platner/ Redux for The Wall Street Journal

Elections - Major Shake Up

Reports are in and the government-backed canidate, Jude Celestin, will have to withdraw from the run-off election. This is a major development. The entire election process has been a mess, but this will at least calm the fears of many who think the current government rigged the elections. Here are several articles explaining what is happening.

Monitors want Haiti candidate out

U.S. SHIFTS STANCE, OPEN TO NEW VOTE

OAS says boot Haiti gov’t candidate

Haiti PM Says His Government Will Accept OAS-CARICOM Election Advice

OAS to give Haiti presidential election verdict

Photo: AFP

USAID Update

USAID has a large presence in Haiti. Most of the tents are made from tarps marked "USAID." I've had to eat food they provided and was grateful for it. Here's an update on their work.

“Progress isn’t always visible,” McDonald said. “If you look at Aceh or if you look at Katrina—some of these large-scale natural disasters—it really takes a good 18 months to get the coordination structures and the work ramped up to a point where you start to see a lot of the benefits of these. So that’s not to say that there hasn’t been a lot of progress, but it is to say that it’s important to keep the momentum up, even when the frustrations are high. Because we really feel that the returns are really in front of us.”

Assessing Progress in Haiti

Photo: USAID

Aid Round Up

Here are a number of articles dealing with the aid money sent to Haiti. I get so many questions on this topic, but I rarely have any answers.

$193 million allocated by Haiti reconstruction fund - World Bank


World Bank Flash: Supporting Haiti to Build a Better Future

Key projects identified for Haiti


Photo: Caribbean 360

Searching for Sovereignty

This is an opinion piece by a Haitian named, Ericq Pierre. He asks that Haitians be allowed to alone and mourn for their dead. It's a poingant cry for sovereignty in a land where so many are helpless.

"We did not fittingly mourn our dead, because they were too numerous. Because many were still buried in rubble. Because too many people were around us. Because there were too many victims, too many walking dead. Never was a dilemma so great: to mourn the dead, or those soon to die."

The photo is mine.

Read more here.

New Figures on Aid Money

More on the aid money sent to Haiti.

Some key figures:


■International donors pledged $2.01 billion for Haiti reconstruction and recovery efforts in 2010, but only 63.6 percent of that sum, $1.28 billion, was dispersed last year, according to new figures from the office of the U.N. special envoy for Haiti.

■Fifty-five countries and international organizations made the pledges at a March 2010 international donors conference aimed at helping Haiti build back from the earthquake that devastated the country on January 12, 2010.

■A total of $4.46 billion was pledged over 2010 and 2011, excluding debt relief aid. About $3.18 billion would need to be dispersed by public sector donors in 2011 to meet the pledges fully.

"There is definitely a lot of pressure [to spend money]. Haitians have knowledge that a lot of money was raised on their behalf, they are wondering what's happening to all that money and the public puts pressure on aid groups to spend money quickly," said Preston.

"But people who work in this field said the rate of the spending was comparable to other international disasters and appropriate to the situation because you risk funding corruption or ill-thought-out projects if you spend too quickly."

Haiti Reconstruction Aid Falls Short, New Figures Show
Photo: PBS

Security in Haiti

How can you rebuild Haiti when corruption and unrest are rampant? Here's a powerful report from PBS, there is a video and an article.

Battle for Haiti

Haitian Aid Money Unspent

A look into why the Red Cross and other groups have kept the money raised in the bank and haven't been spending it where it was intended.

Haiti Aid Money Lies Unspent, Drawing Criticism

Photo: Valentina Pasquali for NPR

CNN's Massive Earthquake Coverage

CNN has an entire site dedicated to earthquake coverage ranging from human interest to facts and figures. There are articles, photos and videos.

Haiti Earthquake
Photo: CNN