As Haiti's heavy spring rain season gets closer, millions of earthquake survivors in Port-au-Prince are still living in makeshift tent camps.
The Haitian government has rushed to put together a plan to house hundreds of thousands of people before the spring rains come. About a million people still have no place to live.
Patrick Delatour, the Haitian minister of tourism has been put in charge of building new shelters, says that Haitians are making their own plans and not waiting for government intervention.
"We are dealing with a people that has 200 years of individual survival skill, and they are making decisions independently of the government, and not waiting for the government," Delatour said.
In this video report from Haiti, Ray Suarez reports on continuing efforts to find shelter for Haitians displaced by the 7.0 earthquake in January.
Quotes
"We are dealing with a people that has 200 years of individual survival skill, and they are making decisions independently of the government, and not waiting for the government." - Patrick Delatour, minister of tourism, Haiti
"People here have been really hungry. When food came for distribution, it was really voracious. People didn't act the way they're supposed to, and there is a lot of food left, but there weren't people to distribute. So, we asked if they could please come back again." - Rachelle Garnier, Haiti
"I personally haven't received anything. I'm a teacher at a school. I'm not used to fighting, standing in line, fighting for things." - Philesten Sony, Haiti
Warm Up Questions
1. If your home were destroyed by a natural disaster, what would you do?
2. What is a government’s responsibility to help people whose homes have been destroyed?
3. Where is Haiti? What do you know about Haiti?
Discussion Questions
1. What did you learn from this video report? Did any information surprise you?
2. What might be some differences between the way a major earthquake affects a poor country and a rich country? What does the video say about economic differences and how people are affected?
3. Why is having shelter during the rainy season so important? What problems can arise without proper shelter?
4. What natural disasters have had devastating effects in the U.S.? How is this country equipped to handle natural disasters. Do you feel that we are prepared?
5. What are some ways that you or your classmates can help the people of Haiti?
6. Why is a country's capital important? How would the destruction of the capital Port-au-Prince impact the national psyche? How would you feel?
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