The View From Haiti

In a special report, Stuart delivers a vivid and moving account of attempts to rebuild the country, addressing criticisms of the Vatican, praise for Irish charity organisation Concern and claims that former president René Préval went missing immediately after the disaster happened two years ago.

Locals told Clark that former President Préval, “only cared about his own family and his own people. We were left to fend for ourselves until Concern turned up. They brought us the water and medicine and tents that should have been provided by the government. Préval and his cronies let the whole country down.”

74 year-old Mercile Sanon, who lives in a one-bedroom apartment with her daughter, granddaughter and four-month-old great-grandson, gave an especially grim account:

“President Préval didn’t know we existed. Lots of the houses in this street collapsed during the earthquake. Some people I know died instantly. Others were trapped under the rubble – we could hear them screaming for help but there was nothing we could do. I still have nightmares about those screams.”

Stories of pain and anguish were in high supply but Haiti is a country full of people fighting back. A mother of seven told Hot Press how shortly after the earthquake her then ten year-old daughter was gang-raped in an unregulated camp. Hearing of the family’s plight, Concern moved her into their camp where now installed in her own prefab she says, “My daughter and other children finally feel safe. We can go to sleep at night knowing bad things won’t happen. We also have water, proper toilets and shops here, which we didn’t have in the other camp.”

To read the report in full, pick up the brand new issue of Hot Press, in stores this Thursday January 26.