Frontline/World
Shoshana Guy
Correspondent
Friday, October 15, 2004; 11:00 a.m. ET
As Americans decide whether to re-elect their president or choose a new
leader, FRONTLINE/World gives voters an international perspective on the 2004 presidential race.
Featuring new Web-exclusive reports each Tuesday through the Nov. 2
election, "Dispatches from a Small Planet: Election 2004" illustrates how others in the world view the U.S. election.
This Week: Whether beset by devastating floods or stifling drought, the people of Haiti are plagued by the lack of an adequate, reliable water system. More than 60 percent of Haitians do not have access to clean water. The country is ranked last on the International Poverty Index. FRONTLINE/World Fellow Shoshana Guy investigates Haiti's water crisis -- from de-forested mountains to teeming Port-au-Prince where businessmen sell water by the truckload and boys hawk plastic bags of water on the streets.
Read Guy's report: Haiti: The Struggle For Water.
Then, join Guy online Friday, Oct. 15, at 11 a.m. ET, to discuss her report.
Submit your questions and comments before or during the discussion.
"Dispatches from a Small Planet: Election 2004" will feature stories by young "backpack journalists," in addition to award-winning veterans such as Lowell Bergman and Orville Schell.
Editor's Note: washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control
over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.
Manassas, Va.:
Compared to Haiti, how is the Dominican Republic standing? Have they been as affected as Haiti due to deforestation?
Shoshana Guy: Hi, while I can't say for sure that deforestation is not going on in the DR,(I haven't done evironmental research there), I do know that the DR in general is in much better shape than Haiti in this regard. As I noted in my report Haiti is 98% deforested. When you fly over the island you can see the difference between the two countries..green vs. brown
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Snellville, Ga.:
The humanitarian crisis in Haiti and the rest of the Caribbean receives very little attention from the American public. This is troubling, especially because Haiti and the Caribbean, are part of the Americas. How can the U.S. be so blind to what is occurring right in its own back yard?
Haiti was already is crisis prior to the series of hurricanes that have all but leveled the country; however, now the crisis is more immediate. Potable water is literally the fluid of life -- and yet so many Haitians are denied access to safe drinking water.
As an African-American woman, I am profoundly disappointed that there has been little if any outcry from black leadership or average black Americans about the water and food insecurity in Haiti.
What can I do to help Haitians? Are there programs or agencies where I can send a check to? What about sending a shipment of water and non-perishable food stuffs? What about sending clothing? How can the average person in the US help?
Shoshana Guy: Hi there, there are of course a lot of NGO's working in Haiti. Haiti needs so much so I guess if you are thinking about helping you should think about what area in particular(food, health, education etc). Different NGO's focus on different things. I know that the Haitian Community in New York City has been organinzing to help their people in Gonaives (where the recent floods were. The Haitian Times (community paper in Brooklyn) may be able to refer to organizations sending Aid right now. And then of course there are the big organizations that you can research. I know that Oxfam is doing a big project in relationship to water. If you wanted to help with water they might be a good place to start. thanks for your concern, Haiti needs you.
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Silver Spring, Md.:
How much time did you spend in Haiti? What is their view there of the U.S. and our leadership?
Shoshana Guy: Hi there, I spent almost three weeks in Haiti. It's difficult to answer your second question since Haiti has a long and complicated relationship with the U.S. and of course there are varying opinions. But in general I have to say that a lot of people I encountered were frustrated and angry with the U.S. As you may have read violence is once again beginning to break out in Haiti. Aristide supporters are frustrated with his removal this past Feb. and to large extent blame the U.S.
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Washington, D.C.:
Are any steps being taken to ease the water crisis? And has the country recovered from the massive flooding earlier this year?
Shoshana Guy: In terms of the small picture there are NGO's in Haiti digging wells, working with filtering systems etc and for the communities they are working in this does ease the burden. But in terms of the big picture, from what water experts and evironmetnalists told me, infrastrucutual change needs to happen asap in order to really address the water crisis. The gov. needs to move on creating a Ministry of Water and Environment. The proposal is on the table but it has yet to be created. Someone needs to oversee reforestation, and regulate water use etc.
When I was in Haiti in July the areas that were hit by the floods early this year were not recovered and from what was reported to me the situation remained desperate.
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South Slocan, British Columbia:
Hello,
Thank you for your very informative piece on Haiti's water situation. Did you run into any NGOs that were making a difference in relation to the water crisis?
Shoshana Guy: Hello, you're welcome. Yes Oxfam was doing some goood work in relationship to water in teh Cap Hatian area. A small organization Water for Haiti was doing some interesting work with sand filtering systems, outside of of Port au Prince. Plan International had been digging wells in the area of Pernier.
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Virginia:
President Clinton sent over 10,000 U.S. troops and he withdrew all of them realizing his policies failed.
Shoshana Guy: Well the clinton adminstration reinstated Aristide and then pulled out. I'm not sure what you mean by his policies failed
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Shoshana Guy:
Hi all, well things have slowed down quite a bit. I'd like to thank everyone for taking the time to log in. Check out www.pbs/frontlineworld for more fellows reports! the next one is about the elections in Afghanistan.
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