“The floodlights are starting to fade, but the homeless are still here, the poor continue to knock on doors of the countries of opulence. Their cry cannot be confined to the dustbin of history. As of today, the people victims of the earthquake still live in tents and makeshift shelter, while the hurricane season looms becomes ever more threatening. The people feels as if abandoned in nature, without fathers, without points of reference…” Such is one of the many crucial points of a reflection of monsignor Pierre André Dumas, Bishop of the dioceses of Anse-à-Veau and Miragoâne and director of Haitian Caritas, sent to MISNA almost six months from the devastating quake of last January 12, which killed some 230,000 people and left a million homeless in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area. “Families have been destabilized, overcome by the events, they cannot make plans. Hygiene and health conditions are terrible – expounds monsignor Dumas – almost unspeakable. There is a lack of leadership, or a long term vision, everything is treated in the ‘emergency management’ and the homeless fear that the provisional situation in which they are living may actually become their permanent one”. After an unprecedented leap of solidarity, including the participation of “volunteers and benefactors, known or unknown” noted with emphasis, gratitude and friendliness by the Haitian prelate, in the current phase that of rehabilitation and reconstruction, there is no shortage of problems. “In the removal of the rubble - relates monsignor Dumas – the work is proceeding slowly, without orientation or well defined goals. Everything is done in an artisanal way and without rules, prompting the blocking of some streets and problems to traffic. And we are at the mercy of private companies that demand a fortune to do the job, even where the rebuilding of public buildings”, said monsignor Dumas. “The Haitian government – he keeps going – backed by the UN, complains over the slowness in the handover of international funds; meanwhile, friendly countries are hesitating depositing their funds considering that the political climate, and security have deteriorated after the announcement of the electoral timetable without everyone’s consensus. Many analysts – said the Haitian priest – think that a climate of dialogue should be emphasized to achieve honest and credible. Meanwhile, - he adds – the poor cannot wait any longer.”

[BO]