Avellon Williams
The hemisphere’s poorest nation, Haiti, was struck by a deadly 7.2-magnitude earthquake Saturday 14th August, 2021, pancaked buildings and destroyed homes leaving many homeless.
Haitians already were struggling with the coronavirus, gang violence, worsening poverty and the July 7 assassination of president Jovenel Moise when the earthquake hit.
Apart from the deaths and injuries, more than 130,000 homes have been destroyed or damaged along with major infrastructures, such as roads, electricity, and water supply.
United Nations Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed traveled to Haiti recently to get a firsthand look at the disastrous humanitarian crisis that has enveloped the people of the Island.
In a tweet following her visit, she said, “We cannot and must not leave the people of Haiti behind.”
After centuries of neglect, it seems as though the world has awakened to the plight of our French-speaking brothers and sisters of the Caribbean.
At this time, some unscrupulous Haitians have been engaged in gang warfare, which is affecting the delivery of relief to those most in need.
Ramesh Rajasingham, UN’s Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator tweeted, “We need safe and unimpeded access to all people in need. All parties, including armed groups, must ensure that humanitarian organizations and aid supplies have sustained and safe access to the affected areas.”
These armed gangs have since declared a truce to facilitate assistance to those in need.
We urge all parties to work together so that at last, the people of Haiti will be able to breathe easier.
