need to add title here

@katiecouric: Disaster in Haiti

January 18, 2010 1:38 PM

Katie Couric speaks with Mark Schneider from the International Crisis Group, and Ophelia Dahl, Executive Director of Partners in Health about the disastrous earthquake in Haiti and the relief efforts to help Haitians in need.

Recent Segments See All Videos
Scroll Left Scroll Right
Add a Comment See all 11 Comments
by haitiaid January 22, 2010 4:15 AM EST
this in not right, 10 days on, this could have been done much better, the question Katie had was, couldn't this be done better, not, as he responded, is everyone going to get all the care they need...this could have been done much better. This is a disgrace.
I don't buy that air drops could't have helped more, esp. for the hospitals via helicopter, someone had the idea of droppoing small packets of water and food, just blanket the areas of refugees widely dispersed, why wouldn't have this prevented rioting and hoarding.
Reply to this comment
by haitiaid January 22, 2010 3:12 AM EST
this in not right, 10 days on, this could have been done much better, the question Katie had was, couldn't this be done better, not, as he responded, is everyone going to get all the care they need...this could have been done much better. This is a disgrace.
Reply to this comment
by QuietOne402 January 20, 2010 9:53 PM EST
Modular housing would be quick to put up and if not built in say, MS or AL, build a factory there so the locals are employed. Also, it may be easy to donate via text but people should be encouraged to pledge $10/month for a year - it's easy to set up and most people will keep it going - continuing support is what's needed.
Reply to this comment
by amm2md January 19, 2010 7:28 PM EST
Katie I hope you truly read these postings.
I don't understand why cruise ships are not being used to house the homeless. The cruise ship industry should be pressured to donate 2 ships. They will receive a tax break and the people will have shelter, showers and a safe environment while Haiti is being rebuilt. It is 80 degrees on a daily basis. Why do they have to live on the streets under tents like animals. If this would have happened in Israel they would never be asked to live on the streets.
Reply to this comment
by kenhamlett January 19, 2010 7:06 PM EST
This video is the best I have seen on @couric. It is not due to the information I received but because it shows there are so many questions without ready answers.
Definately a 4 bar interview.
Reply to this comment
by kenhamlett January 19, 2010 6:50 PM EST
My responses are diverse and my thoughts go well beyond what I can write here.
Haiti was a disaster before the quake. There could be no other outcome to a disaster than bedlam. When they rebuild, if they can, they hopefully develop the whole country instead of only concentrating on a couple of cities.

Why would we listen to the Haiti government regarding how to drop or distribute aid? They effectively have no government and certainly no expertise in logistics.
Outside aid during rebuilding will not work. It would only be a welfare program. The Haitians must identify assets of interest to the world market if they are going to ever get ahead. Then adapt the nation to produce something of value. Sugarcane enriches a few and that is about the only export product they have that comes to mind.
Any aid must not be cash aid it will only be misused like it has been in the past. Only offer education and seed money for industry should remain outside the control of government. In other words Haitians can not have any say in planning or implementing the improvements.

The disaster was not an earthquake. The disaster came by not building a viable nation.
Reply to this comment
by bzzpd January 19, 2010 6:38 PM EST
Anyone seen Obama. Where is the Con Man...the one who said he could handle any disaster. Where's the food Obama...Where's the water?
Where's mayor Nagin blaming it all on FEMA?
Obama has a lot of dead souls following him around at the White House, asking where their meal ended up....as well as the water that might have kept them alive during this disaster.
Reply to this comment
by Dagtx January 18, 2010 8:47 PM EST
Very informative. Helped me get a better broad picture of Haiti's past and future needs. We must not forget this country in the coming months/years
Reply to this comment
by DebraJkjkjkjk January 18, 2010 8:33 PM EST
Why did the United States discontinue aid to Haiti? I found the explanation given by Mark Schneider to be very round about and nonsensical.

I would suggest a minimal historical research by your news team, Wikipedia is a good place to begin. Or read books written by Paul Farmer (co-founder of PIH.org): "Uses of Haiti" and "Who Removed Aristide?"
Reply to this comment
by TMMexico January 18, 2010 8:10 PM EST
I agree with you, we should not forget about Haiti. Most of the times we hear about a disaster and keep on it while its on the news, but when it is not news anymore and news broadcasts forget about it, we do as well.

Considering this, I would ask of you to help us remember, do special reports, and maintain the attention of the people. We should not stop caring for this country, it is important to bring this people to the 21 century lifewise.
Reply to this comment
See all 11 Comments
Scroll Left
Scroll Right More »

  • 48 Hours iPad App

    Big changes for the 2012-2013 season! Watch the current week's episode for FREE up to a week after it airs or subscribe for access to all shows, classic episodes and more!