On Saturday February 20, 2010 a delegation of Rotarians (PRID Barry
Rassin and PDG Richard McCombe) along with the Haitian Ambassador to
The Bahamas Louis Harold Joseph (Honorary Rotarian) and Pilots Paul
Pyfrom and Paul Aranha (mentioned because of the many, many relief
flights they have volunteered to fly, especially Paul Aranha) flew
from Nassau, Bahamas to Port au Prince, Haiti. Our purpose was to
visit the epicenter and to meet with the Rotarian Leaders who have
continued working tirelessly to bring relief to all they can.

We were met at the PAP International Airport by Rotarians from Haiti:
PDG Amos Durosier and his wife Arlette, DGN Dr. Guy Theodore, AG Caleb
Lucien, AG Dr. Claude Surena, PP George Nicolas, and Ted Lazarre.

First we met as a group for a briefing on the current needs in Haiti
resulting from the earthquake on January 12 and the 54 subsequent
tremors. We then joined the Prime Minister for Haiti, the Honorable
Jean-Max Bellerive, and had a very cordial and accommodating meeting.
He expressed his appreciation for what Rotary has done over many years
in Haiti and specifically for what they continue to do now. He stated
that all Haitians know Rotary and what they do.

The following is a synopsis of the two meetings:

It is believed that 250,000 have lost their lives to the earthquake.

One million are homeless and need shelter and about 40% of the
homeless are children.

Food, Water and Shelter are the priorities for all the country. The
migration from PAP has placed a burden on all the other cities on top
of the obvious burden in PAP.

For shelter there is still a major need for tents and/or tarps in
order to at least provide some shelter for those who have been left
homeless.

80% of the schools in PAP have been destroyed. On Tuesday, February 23
the government is meeting with the Association of all Schools in order
to try to get them open to the degree that at least the children have
a place to go and a meal to eat. (It may be their only meal of the
day). If we can get larger tents (20 x 20) next to the schools then
they can at least meet. The children are considered a priority by the
Government. Many students have died, many teachers have died. 80% of
the 80% were private schools but the government accepts their
responsibility to get schools going to accommodate all the children.
The consolidated education fund will continue to do everything it can
to restart the schools. Clearly Rotary can help with the schools.

Rotary's final NGO status will be complete in days but in the meantime
The Prime Minister will give us a letter of authorization to clear
customs efficiently and duty free. (This will only apply if advance
notice is given to the local Rotary Leadership with details of the
goods shipped, time and place of arrival and intended rotary
destination). The priorities for incoming shipments will first be the
NGO's with proper documentation, second urgent commercial goods and
lastly all other commercial goods. This is important as the customs
duties have been restored in order to ensure that only appropriate
items are received duty free.

While temporary shelter (tents and tarps) is critical work has to
begin on sustainable housing. It must be done in a way that provides
jobs for the short and long term as well as shelter and an
infrastructure to support the residents (Homes, sanitation, water,
agriculture, trade, transportation, etc.).

The government appreciates the opportunity to spread out the
population density to improve all facets of PAP life. With the support
of the local population and the recognized needs along with
international support, the government should be able to make the
changes they could not make before.

It is clear that a caution light is now up for all to see with
continued relief support for free food and water. A substantial part
of the economy is small farms growing and small business along with
street vendors selling produce, fruits, rice and other staples. With
incorrect levels of free items distributed it puts the single family
business in financial trouble spiraling the economy downhill. We must
be cautious not to “kill” the economy through well intentioned
donations. The economic balance needs to be enhanced through the
efforts of Rotary and other NGO's.

A Post Disaster National Assistance (PDNA) Committee has been formed
and consists of local representatives as well as all significant
international entities that are assisting in the restoration efforts.
Rotary is included on the PDNA with Dr. Claude Surena on the
committee. This committee is making an assessment of the damages and
the resultant needs and will formulate priorities and prepare a plan.
The plan is scheduled to be complete by March 15 and is intended to be
presented to the United Nations around March 23 or 24.

The District 7020 Haiti Earthquake Relief Committee will continue to
meet and assist with getting the final containers (40 to 50) to Haiti
by the end of March. However, the committee is now turning to the
planning for the longer term relief efforts. We have to consider:

Basic Education and Literacy – Getting the children back to school

Disease Prevention and Treatment – Continue helping the hospital and
health workers as well as developing comprehensive rehabilitation

Water and Sanitation – The clean water needs must be addressed and
effective sanitation is essential with so many tent cities now in
place

Maternal and Child Health – We need to address the nutrition of the
children and the mothers.

Economic and Community Development – We need to help to boost the
economy providing micro credit for business start up and we need to
enhance the community life for a positive economic growth.

We are in this program for the long haul and will be proud as we stand
beside Rotarians in Haiti and lend them a hand as together we rebuild
a beautiful country and show our respect and admiration for the people
of Haiti.

The Future of Rotary is in Our Hands and the future of Haiti depends
on what we continue to do.

Barry Rassin

PRID 2006-2008

District 7020