Haiti at a Glance

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Haiti at a Glance
Haiti is a Caribbean nation, part of the island
of Hispaniola which it shares with the Dominican
Republic. Hispaniola was the first American soil
that Christopher Columbus colonized on behalf of
the Spanish Crown in 1492. The native Amerindians
were exterminated after several generations and
black slaves were imported from Africa from the
early 16th century. Later Hispaniola became a
haven for pirates due to its central location
important for controlling the Caribbean waters.
An island nation yearning for freedom A spirit
of independence has been characteristic of Haiti.
By rebelling against France (1804) it became the
first independent nation in Latin America and
first black-led republic in the world. Soon
Haitians would be giving ample support to
revolutionary Simon Bolivar who led many
Latin-American uprisings against Spain after
1815. And Haiti was the first country to
recognize the independence of the tiny Greek
nation in 1821!
Wealth and downfall Haiti was for some time one
of the wealthiest per capita countries in Latin
America based on extensive plantations of sugar,
coffee, and indigo-producing plants. However,
development in the Caribbean was repeatedly
halted by external meddling and internal strife.
For more than a century and a half (1800-1950)
France, the US, Germany, and other nations
regularly intervened in Haitian politics through
invasions, taxation, inciting regional
hostilities, and other means. For 30 years
starting in 1957 the country was ruled by
ruthless dictator Francois Duvalier (Papa-Doc),
his son Jean-Claude, and their militia. The
ensuing diaspora made vital contributions to
francophone Africas newly independent countries.
Jean-Pierre Boyer, one of the heroes of the 1804
revolution
Modern times From the 1990s onwards, Haiti has
gone through a period of instability and
prolonged economic contraction. It is the poorest
country in the Americas and among the poorest in
the Western hemisphere. To this was added the
chaos produced by this years terrible
earthquake. Let us hope that the resilience of
the Haitian people will carry them through the
difficult times.
The Hellenic Society Prometheas Benefit Concert
for Haiti, May 14, 2010
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The January 2010 Haiti Earthquake
On January 12, a 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck
Haiti and devastated the capital, Port-Au-Prince.
Reportedly more than 150,000 people were killed
and many were buried rapidly in mass graves. A
large number remain homeless. The Presidential
palace, the Parliament, and many other edifices
collapsed, along with countless homes and
businesses.
The aftermath The quake has been a
huge setback for this tiny country which had
already suffered political and economic hard
times for years. A number of Latin American and
other countries have provided economic and
logistical help, but the lack of resources makes
recovery difficult to predict.
How you can help A number of
non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are
currently operating in Haiti. We have selected to
benefit SOIL (see box) with this concert. We will
ask for donations in the course of tonights
event. In addition you can choose to contribute
to a different NGO such as National Nurses
United sends professional nurses to work in
Haiti. Kids In Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.)
delivers clothes, diapers, and water. Healing the
Children provides medical care for kids UNFPA
provides safe delivery kits to hospitals and
midwives.
Who is SOIL? http//www.oursoil.org
/ Sustainable Organic Integrated Livelihoods
(SOIL) is an ecologically focused non-profit
working on sanitation issues in Haiti. Working
directly on site with the stricken communities,
they have responded to the earthquake challenges
by developing and building sanitary facilities
(toilets) in an urban setting with very little
sanitation infrastructure. Soil erosion was
already a long-standing problem in Haiti where
over cultivation and lack of fuel sources have
eliminated virtually all forest spaces and
farmland resources. SOIL works to increase
environmental and work resources while
maintaining adequate standards of public health.
Tell us more To tell us your opinion, learn
more about Prometheas, or become a member contact
us at www.prometheas.org or 301-229-9389.
The Hellenic Society Prometheas, Inc. Benefit
Concert for Haiti, May 14, 2010