http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1977287,00.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/01/world/americas/01haiti.html?scp=8&sq=haiti&st=cse
A recent agreement between donor states and the United Nations has pledged billions in aid to Haiti. This monetary aid will be monitored by the World Bank and a commission headed Bill Clinton and Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive. Aid money will go the Haitian government for development projects, a decision that angers many Haitian people who are still living in the dirt and rubble left behind from nearly 3 months ago. The Haitian people are also frustrated by the corruption from their own government that has prevented the effective distribution of aid. Local government officials were caught selling food coupons for food aid that was free. While hearing news of billions in donations, many Haitians are still dealing with the earthquakes devastation. The Haitian people are tired of talk about change when nothing is being done.
This skepticism does not only stem from the knowledge that their own government is corrupt. The people do not believe that the wealthy donor states and international organizations will actually help them. Since the money is being funneled through the World Bank, conditions for the aid money will likely be attached. The US will also have a huge role in the reconstruction and development of Haiti in the future, through our role in the World Bank and Bill Clinton's influence in the commission overseeing funding. Like Chang argues, neoliberal policies will likely be forced on Haiti. Globalization will also create a situation in Haiti similar to Jamaica, local industries will suffer, while cheap food and goods will flood Haitian markets.
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I think you make a very good point here. It is important that as country develops and enters the world economy, that it can hold its own after foreign influence has left. In this case, being forced in to free trade and the global economy right away may have some negative effects on Haiti, for they may incur debt that they cannot pay back, and fall victim to competitive foreign prices. As you mentioned, Chang's argument proves to be right in the sense that the Haitians need to have some control over there government, before the US and other nations force it into a situation that will dig in to an unfortunate financial hole. However, a dilemma arises, for Haiti cannot dig itself out of the current hole alone, so foreign aid is in fact necessary. While a compromise needs to be made between the Haitian government and nations and organizations providing aid, it would be hard to come up with one since entities are only willing to aid if they have a say in how the money is used. It will be tough for any plan of action to successfully resolve the situation in Haiti.
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