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Haiti: Frustration and Anger

November 14, 2010 12:44 PM

The earthquake made things in already poor Haiti bad enough, but now a cholera epidemic is threatening to kill more Haitians, whose living conditions after the quake help to spread the waterborne infection. Byron Pitts reports.

Frustration and Anger Over Conditions in Haiti

60 Minutes OverTimeMagalie's Moment in Haiti

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by fibercontent November 16, 2010 5:20 PM EST
Thank you for keeping the world aware of the difficult situation in Haiti. I spent some time in the mountains north of Petit Goave this July and was inspired by the grace and energy of the families there who had all lost homes to the earthquake. They were rebuilding schools and homes along with the help of very small charitable organizations in the US, Germany and other countries. Port Au Prince makes for amazing images of dire conditions, but the people of Haiti are in many other places and are helping and being helped by small groups of committed people, not waiting for their pitiful government to take action.
I think the people of the US would feel hopeful if they knew they could commit their funds to these smaller, efficient groups. That's a story I would definitely watch!
Robin
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by aidawedo November 16, 2010 9:07 AM EST
Why hasn't Haiti had cholera in almost 60 years? This is surprising, in light of the fact the the U.S., for political reasons had the IDB withhold loans targeted for water infrastructure improvements in the very area where the cholera outbreak started? the Artibonite river.
--A corollary to that question: Why did the IDB make the Aristide government pay interest on loans the country never received?

Why is it that the CDC says the cholera is a strain imported from South Asia?

Why does a renown Harvard cholera expert think that is is important to know the origin of the cholera strain, that he also believes is imported from South Asia?

* Political reason U.S. withheld loans: To oust the democratically elected government of Jean-Bertrand Aristide.
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by aidawedo November 16, 2010 7:57 AM EST
A couple of questions 60 Minutes:

How did the trash you showed in the city (PaP?) cause the cholera in the countryside?

Does anyone at CBS know how to use Google... turns out the guy you practically crowned "Mr. Haiti," Bill Clinton actually spent his honeymoon in Mexico -- Acapulco to be exact... he says so on page 235 of his memoir "My Life."

And... Why didn't you ask Bill why his wife is blocking aid money to Haiti (http://******/4MiZap)? She said back in March (http://*******/d4y3s) that Haiti was no more corrupt than other countries...

What's changed since to make the U.S. government put a hold on the aid because of "corruption?"... More Haitians in living in intolerable misery?
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by gusto143 November 15, 2010 10:30 AM EST
I just got back from Haiti it was my first visit since the earthquake. I love my country but I don't think that just by donating money Haiti will recover from this situation. First of all, the Haitian gvt is too corrupt the money will NOT get to the people or fix what it was donated for. But the first thing that the government or the people need to realize that they can leave everything to the international community to do for them. Some of us here don't have jobs also but yes I have seen some of my friends who were unemployed when the earthquake hit Haiti went there to volunteer. The Haitian youth needs to get involved volunteer to wait for the UN or someone else to come and clean your neighborhood for you. I spent 10 days there all I have seen is young kids getting drunk and high on drugs; but yet they are complaining that they can't eat or they are living in poverty.Where did the find the money to buy the alcohol and drugs? Instead, of getting drunk and high dop something productive with their time start cleaning up. They need to change their mentality,some of us here are not getting a free pass in this economic crisis. But we find a way to live with whatever we got. I have a lot more to say but it is heartbreaking to see how the government crying for money when they know the problem is not just money. I will leave you guys with this one do a little research check the account of the people who are in charge in Haiti check them, their family and girlfriends all of their account you will see where the money people have donated went.
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by toniecw November 15, 2010 12:52 AM EST
I just wanted to add as well...that I have seen actually small all in one compact homes built on Youtube...something to consider being the population is large and land mass small...Japan might have some design ideas here as well former President Mr. Clinton.
Also with so many steel containers lining and laying around the harbor, I have seen home designs utilizing them as well...just throwing some stuff out there to one and all...

Also did anyone catch Miss Universe-Chile and the Enagic Kangen machine that was gifted her from a distributor here in United States to take to to the trapped for 69 days Chile miners just recently and what was the outcome of her and her son's labor of love effort? It was amazing for you know the Chile government had to first examine the evidence provided before allowing this machine's entry into their country...Enagic won it! and the winners were the miners! I heard, don't know if this is true or not...Sixty Minutes, one of the miners also ran a marathon a short time later, and I believe one or two were diabetic and all their food and water source were piped down to them...I believe even Nasa helped with their technology ideas...so please was the miners, and Chile government, that the Chile Navy purchased ten of Enagic's machines from the distributor that provided one...now isn't that a grand idea for a PayForward example given the world idea? Something to think about, also something to think about is why only the World News Network covered this good ole American reaching out to help with the greatest gift given them by Our Heavenly Father, Enagic Kangen Water Technology! blessings always of Light, Love and Peace of God. Namaste!
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by Paulalms November 14, 2010 11:26 PM EST
I'm involved with a non-profit org.that sent a local Doctor Mylene Rucker in our city Visalia,Ca.The first thing she said when she got back was cholera will strike Port of Prince.She sent a letter to Haiti and U.C.L.A. Hospital.She is still concerned for the Haitian's.We are praying for intervention.They do not have separate areas for hygiene.Everything is in the drinking water.
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by AndresBest November 14, 2010 10:44 PM EST
I'm apalled! How is it possible that when WWII ended, the woman in Berlin did amazing work with the rubble of that city. THEY cleaned each brick, etc,etc., and no matter what, the city was going to be rebuilt.
Why did the government in Haiti not utilize the people's energy and help get the country cleaned up and give them an education in hygine?
It is insane to have all the containers sitting and nothing has been done.
It didn't have to be this way! Very tragic.
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by CTW2010 November 14, 2010 9:06 PM EST
CTW Holdings, Inc. last week signed an a agreement to globally distribute portable water filtration systems that would cure this issue and save thousands of lives in Haiti alone. Please read our press release

http://podcast.streetiq.com/streetiq/?GUID=15486759&Page=MediaViewer
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by 56122tiger November 14, 2010 8:31 PM EST
I just watch the piece on Haiti and I am very upset with all the funds that have been pouring into this small nation (I am not talking about nations that pledges and not follow through but US has contributed as well as events to raise funds) and not see any progress on both the clean up of the earthquake and now cholera. After all these months and not see any progress in cleaning up the debris from the earthquake is a shame on the nation. China and other nations had earthquakes and were able to at least clear the debris. To see the holdup of construction materials held up for months because of a seal from Haiti government is the tip of an iceberg of government red tapes!
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by spmcgrath November 14, 2010 8:27 PM EST
I recently returned from Haiti as the cholera outbreak was beginning in the north and before Hurricane Tomas. The government or someone with authority at the airports and ports expect huge sums of money in order to release items from volunteer organizations all over the world in storage who are sending it to the Haitians to help them. The government is blocking efforts to help their country and people. It is inhumane and outrageous. The Haitians we met were lovely, hopeful, grateful, hard working and friendly people. They deserve so much better from their "leadership".
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