LET US OPT FOR NAOMI OSAKA’S WAY.
As I write this article, Haiti is once again experiencing a disturbing episode in its history. It has been 11 years, since January 12, 2010, that the West department and its neighboring regions were affected by an earthquake of magnitude 7.3 on the Richter scale, causing a saving tide of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) coming to settle in the country, wanting to provide answers to the problems of earthquake victims …
Moreover, this Saturday, August 14, 2021, the earth shook again, this time bringing the Grand Sud, Grand’Anse and Nippes, Ile-à-Vache departments to their knees; devastating everything in its path. Hospitals, schools, homes, commercial buildings, churches … All types of buildings have been hit. In addition, the statistics spoke as follows:
Provisional report 08/18/2021
2,189 death, 12,268 injured, 332 people missing. 52,953 houses were destroyed and 77,066 others were damaged. (Sources: Haitian authorities / Civil Protection)
This time, Haiti and its Diaspora and above all the Haitian Government demand that all responses were given to this state of emergency be undertaken by and for Haitians. With the increased presence of social media in the lives of our compatriots, this prospect has charmed and captured the minds of many.
It is not without knowing that many made their butter after the earthquake of 2010 and that currently many others are already positioning themselves to reproduce this same equation. It would not be such a bad thing if at least the people really affected received the maximum of what was collected on their behalf.
However, my curiosity is about the modus operandi of the holders of these resources, as for the delivery of aid.
Many of them only want to be in the field to get a publicity stunt. (Thanks to selfies for example; to show that they are providing support, as either an influencer, artist, or politician). In addition, the result is in the end only a human tide concentrated in a single locality, consequently preventing other regions from being taken care of or from benefiting in turn from first aid interventions in favor of people still buried under rubbles.
It must be said that the concern is not only about how aid is channeled but also about its components.
Let’s illustrate a bit: for example, one might not be a big fan of a personality, but it would never please to learn that as a benefactor, that person lost his/ her life after having a serious accident on the road while trying to ‘’ bring bread or a few bottles of water and baby diapers to the victims of the earthquake of August 14, 2021.
Clearly, my approach is to draw attention to the fact that without a doubt, we can do better with good planning and with good data to back it up. As a result, we would be able to provide solutions with real long-term impacts. Because I am not in favor of the continuity of a republic of Port-au-Prince.
It would therefore be important and above all useful to approach the situation as follows:
1- Large or medium-sized bread production companies could arrange for an oven to be brought to the area where people are affected. Alternatively, ask, according to the statements, that young people from the area with this knowledge build a large oven, to then teach them how to make bread.
2- For the production of cleaning or hygiene items, a lot of young people, especially in Port-au-Prince, also have this knowledge; this might be the time to engage them, by bringing together the necessary resources and with the establishment of infrastructure always around the affected areas.
In short, I believe that everyone can become a Naomi Osaka in his or her own way in regards to what she has just decided in the face of the post-earthquake situation.
Tweet from Naomi Osaka: “Really hurts to see all the devastation that’s going on in Haiti, and I feel like we really can’t catch a break. I’m about to play a tournament this week and I’ll give all the prize money to relief efforts for Haiti. I know our ancestors’ blood is strong we’ll keep rising”.
https://twitter.com/naomiosaka/status/1426679983532122126
Of course, you go to people with extreme difficulties, probably who need urgent intervention, but shouldn’t the end of that action is to inspire other people to follow and give their support the best way? Furthermore, with the most objective approach possible. However, to do this, let us first try to be more strategic, smarter, and better coordinated. This will prevent the provinces from continuing to be dependent on the republic of Port-au-Prince.
My name is Hans Michel Beaugélus and I approve this article.