Most countries fail to deliver on Haiti aid pledges

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by Smittie61984

Probably a good thing. Between going through the UN and then the Haitian government, I'd be impressed if 1% of that 5.3billion is actually used for recovery.

Now here is something I have been trying to figure out. Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the same island (Hispanolia I think). So there is no barrier other than a straight line on a map to divide the two countries. What happens to one side should happen to the other (or at least do something). How come in this whole earthquake deal I haven't heard one thing about the Dominican Republic? Did they not get affected at all by the earthquake?

There are some very simple reasons for that. The earthquake's epicentre was on the Haitian side of the island and Haitian buildings are most commonly put together with concrete only, no re-bar, largely due to the crushing poverty that they live in. The shaking caused by the earthquake cracked the concrete which, with no re-bar to hold things together, resulted in catastrophic failure of the buildings.

Months after the quake many people STILL don't want to go back into buildings, for fear that they'll come down on them.

The Dominican Republic is more prosperous and uses different construction methods. Where Haiti has been virtually denuded of trees, the DR has forestry. For all intents and purposes there were no wooden buildings in Haiti; all concrete.

When I donated, I chose to donate to ShelterBox, in addition to the Red Cross. The idea that people would get a box that would cover all their needs, that I could track to the destination, was rather compelling. My family pooled our money to buy two.

[OneSickPsycho]

No huge surprise... out of sight, out of mind...

[goof2]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

When I donated, I chose to donate to ShelterBox, in addition to the Red Cross. The idea that people would get a box that would cover all their needs, that I could track to the destination, was rather compelling. My family pooled our money to buy two.

As I understand it the article is only talking about monetary pledges made by governments. It does say that significant amounts from private donations have already found their way down there.

[Papa_Complex]

Originally Posted by goof2

As I understand it the article is only talking about monetary pledges made by governments. It does say that significant amounts from private donations have already found their way down there.

Yup, I get that. I chose to avoid government entanglements, though the Canadian government pledged to match qualifying donations that were made by a specific date. My donations did qualify.

[Smittie61984]

Originally Posted by Papa_Complex

The Dominican Republic is more prosperous and uses different construction methods. Where Haiti has been virtually denuded of trees, the DR has forestry. For all intents and purposes there were no wooden buildings in Haiti; all concrete.

Cool deal. It just seemed odd that Haiti got so much help while I don't ever recall hearing the DR being mentioned once on the news cycles. It kind of reminded me of Katrina and you didn't hear much of anything about Mississippi or shitville despite they got hit pretty damn hard (if not harder) than Louisiana

But between reading the histories of Haiti and seeing that the Dominican Republic seems to have their shit together. It would seem logical to put the Dominican and Haiti together and let the Dominican run them and see how they work out.

[Homeslice]

Originally Posted by Smittie61984

But between reading the histories of Haiti and seeing that the Dominican Republic seems to have their shit together. It would seem logical to put the Dominican and Haiti together and let the Dominican run them and see how they work out.

The Dominicans are too busy running 900 lines and other misc. phone/web scams.