Measuring Commitment to Best Practice
HRI
NEWS
Interview Ricardo Solé
Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti
Haiti’s sporadic history has submerged the country into a complex crisis characterized by the absence of a strong government, inexistence of basic infrastructure and high levels of poverty, corruption and violence. The recent elections held in February 2006 allow certain hopes to emerge for the country that is ranked last in the Human Development Index for the American hemisphere. The challenges of a crisis like that of Haiti are numerous and complicated. Ricardo Solé, who visited Haiti to conduct the HRI survey process, explains some of them.
The crisis that Haiti is experiencing is multidimensional and persistent. How can such an extremely complex situation be defined?
In Haiti, several components of a complex crisis converge: lack of legitimate institutions, the result of the collapse of a previous despotic and dictatorial regime; generalized poverty, the absence of channels to bring a peaceful political process to a close; and the combination of political violence with delinquency and organized crime. The geographic location and danger of further deterioration justified an external intervention that was able to prevent an overall humanitarian crisis, guarantee security in extensive areas of the country to a certain point, and make an electoral process possible that culminated at the end of 2006, and represents the possibility of legitimizing a local authority. Nevertheless, unsafe areas remain and the acceptance of the new government by all political and delinquent actors is not guaranteed.
Who are the main actors in a scenario characterized by high rates of poverty, violence and corruption?
In Haiti, there is an elevated number of political associations based on personalism, more than ideological positions. Organized crime is also an element of distortion. Furthermore, since 2004, the international community has become an important actor committed to ensure stability through the establishment of a multinational force in the field, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
Is the humanitarian crisis chronic in Haiti?
Actually, it is a series of localized and limited crises based on episodes of violence and lack of access in a context of high vulnerability.
How does this situation affect the population?
The population is in a precarious situation, with high levels of insecurity and vulnerability. This scenario constantly threatens to trigger humanitarian crises in the form of lack of access to food, water or medical attention.
In a context characterized by the lack of a strong rule of law how can actions of the UN, the government and national and international organizations be coordinated?
This is a process that is moving forward. The international actors have coordination mechanisms, but the challenge is to progressively involve local actors. The situation created after the elections creates the expectation that the new government will progressively lead the coordination, creating the foundation for a development process that makes it possible to move beyond the current context of continuous instability and risk.
What has the experience in Haiti taught the international community regarding humanitarian action?
Haiti demonstrates that guaranteeing access is an essential condition to ensure humanitarian aid. It also proves the fact that in complex crises, the donors do not always disburse funds based on properly evaluated needs and that the decisive contextual and political factors end up being very important. In general, the international community’s priority is aimed to guarantee security and strengthen political processes. In this context, common to many complex crises, the Principles of Good Humanitarian Donorship can be a critical instrument to improve the response to humanitarian needs. The importance of their promotion and distribution is unquestionable.