HAITI

Haiti Struggles to Recover and Develop

by Genna Snider

A country already struggling with grappling diseases, lack of sufficient primary education and extreme poverty, Haiti has been struck by a horrific natural disaster, leaving more than 150,000 people dead and thousands more missing. An earthquake of 7.0 on the Richter scale swept through the Republic of Haiti on January 12, 2010. Countless buildings collapsed, trapping people for days. Haiti is no stranger to crisis as the country faces hurricanes all year round. However, this earthquake has left the nation devastated.

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Covering only 27,750 square kilometers, it is located on the Western side of the island Hispaniola, sharing the island with the Dominican Republic.

The country is plagued with disease and poverty. The possibility of catching an infectious disease in Haiti is high, and diseases such as hepatitis A and E, and typhoid fever are common among children. Less than 40% of the population has access to basic health care and 90% of Haiti's children suffer from waterborne diseases and parasites. Only 65.9% of the population is literate with a mere 30% of the children making it to the sixth grade.

Political instability is the bane of Haiti's existence due to extensive foreign intervention in the past, establishing a tumultuous precedent. There have been thirty-two coups in the 200 years since Haiti gained independence from Spain. Eight thousand UN workers have inhabited Haiti since 2004 and are still attempting to keep civil peace and to improve the country's overall conditions.

Ultimately, this French-speaking country gratefully accepts millions of dollars each year in aid, and they remain in continued need of foreign aid, not only to alleviate the distress caused by the recent natural disaster but also to improve its health care and education systems. This financial assistance is critical in order to save the future of this deteriorating country.

Delegates, please remember to purchase raffle tickets to win the Teddy MUN bear. Tickets are being sold for only fifty cents at the Merchandise Stand! Proceeds will go to a charity in Haiti chosen by Her Royal Highness, Princess Mabel von Oranje-Nassau, to aid in the relief efforts for the most recent earthquake.