Look at the number of relief agencies, first, they had in their country just to provide the basic amenities. The Haitian government wasn't providing health care, housing, road maintenance, water, etc., etc. Now, look at the number of agencies — and the years and years — it's going to take to just clean up the overwhelming mess after the earthquake, let alone to rebuild. Maybe I shouldn't even refer to “rebuilding,” seeing as that would assume an infrastructure on which to rebuild. There is no infrastructure.

Haiti is a hell hole, and has been for years. One hopes that perhaps after this monumental disaster, which has revealed the utter corruption and inadequacy of the government (if that was necessary), there will be an opportunity, as Joshua suggests, to build a city up to standard requirements by Haitians for Haitians. Let's leave the UN out of the equation, as they have their own problems with corruption.

It will be very difficult — I'm not saying impossible — for the people to shake off the culture of corruption and intertia, but if they don't and if they can't find a way with international help to move forward and to begin to work on their own behalf for a better standard of living, all the help they get now will be of little use to them.

Earthquakes kill. So does corruption.

Look at the number of relief agencies, first, they had in their country just to provide the basic amenities. The Haitian government wasn't providing health care, housing, road maintenance, water, etc., etc. Now, look at the number of agencies — and the years and years — it's going to take to just clean up the overwhelming mess after the earthquake, let alone to rebuild. Maybe I shouldn't even refer to “rebuilding,” seeing as that would assume an infrastructure on which to rebuild. There is no infrastructure.

Haiti is a hell hole, and has been for years. One hopes that perhaps after this monumental disaster, which has revealed the utter corruption and inadequacy of the government (if that was necessary), there will be an opportunity, as Joshua suggests, to build a city up to standard requirements by Haitians for Haitians. Let's leave the UN out of the equation, as they have their own problems with corruption.

It will be very difficult — I'm not saying impossible — for the people to shake off the culture of corruption and intertia, but if they don't and if they can't find a way with international help to move forward and to begin to work on their own behalf for a better standard of living, all the help they get now will be of little use to them.

Earthquakes kill. So does corruption.

Then comes this earthquake, and they are now starting again from zero. Or less than zero maybe.

The immediate requirement right now is simply to get food, water and medical treatment to the survivors. Next is temporary shelter and basic sanitation.

I don't expect a serious rebuilding effort to get underway for months, and alot of discussions will be required over the nature of reconstruction (same unsafe buildings and shanties, or to code) and how it will be funded and executed.

Joshua