Perspective: Global aid threatens
Local markets shut down in the wake of the earthquake, and food and water were difficult to find and expensive when they were available. In response to this need, MCC immediately sent 33 tons of canned turkey and beef and 1,000 water filters to
“Canned meat is a good way to provide nutrition to people when local markets aren’t functional,” said Margot de Greef, one of MCC Haiti’s Material Resources coordinators. “It’s especially appreciated in
In addition to providing canned meat, MCC also actively procured food from local producers to give to earthquake survivors in
Haitian farmers took pride in being able to help earthquake victims, and recipients took pride in knowing that other Haitians were contributing to relief efforts. Buying food locally also supported
However, local food aid is only a small percentage of the overall relief effort. Because of the influx of international emergency food aid, the prices of Haitian-produced rice and black beans have already dropped to below pre-earthquake prices. PAPDA (Plateforme Haïtienne de Plaidoyer pour un Développement Alternatif), the Haitian Platform for Advocating Alternative Development, predicts that prices will continue to plummet to the continued detriment of Haitian farmers.
In an interview with Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) at the end of January, Haitian president René Préval said, “We cannot continue to rely on giving food to the population that comes from abroad, because we’re competing against our own national agriculture.”
Although food aid shipments have increased dramatically since Jan. 12, the presence of
The
The effects of these measures have been far-reaching, undermining domestic agriculture production and diminishing Haitian capacity for sustainable livelihoods. In a remarkable public acknowledgement of the negative impact of
These economic measures made it unprofitable for many Haitian farmers to continue working the land, and scores of people chose instead to emigrate to
Nixon Boumba, an MCC Haiti advocacy worker, says, “Earthquakes are natural phenomena. But the destruction of Jan.12 was not natural.” The high levels of devastation and astronomical death toll reflect structural policies in
MCC Haiti is working to address underlying issues through advocacy—especially advocacy geared toward influencing North American governmental policies that affect Haiti—and by incorporating livelihood generation measures as part of its overall disaster response. As a result, MCC will stop distributing food aid at the end of April and will move to the next phase of helping Haitians rebuild.
Those in temporary camps currently receiving food aid from MCC will continue to receive nonfood items such as relief buckets, tarps, sheets, tents and first-aid supplies. In response to the needs identified by these communities, MCC will also begin income-generating activities like cash-for-work programs so that people can begin to rebuild their lives.
In the long term, MCC will focus its advocacy efforts on the question of food security, partnering with local organizations to both ensure that international trade agreements protect Haitian farmers and to encourage Haitians to build economic independence by buying locally-produced food. MCC Haiti will also continue providing support to build
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