Comments on: Time for change in Haiti: TED Senior fellow Peter Haas responds http://blog.ted.com/2012/01/12/time-for-change-in-haiti/ The TED Blog shares interesting news about TED, TED Talks video, the TED Prize and more. Wed, 19 Jun 2013 22:28:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Myron Williams http://blog.ted.com/2012/01/12/time-for-change-in-haiti/comment-page-1/#comment-10631 Fri, 13 Jan 2012 12:17:49 +0000 http://blog.ted.com/?p=54287#comment-10631 We’ve been part of the work in Meulaboh Indonesia since tsunami hit in December 2004 and that city is a vibrant, growing city where there is little evidence of the horror. Why? Because though there was need for immediate relief and assistance, there has been a great emphasis on rehabilitation, and now continuing development.

Former President Cilton recenlty admitted the great mistake of the policy which in effect destroyed the Hatian rice production. Now we must supply what was once available in that country because we denied the dignity of the people of Haiti.

Sure Haiti is in trouble, but failure to provide the foundations for development will only continue the need for relief. Look at what Alltech is doing in Haiti as an example of development. Look at Food for the Hungry in Indonesia and Mozambique as models of relief when called for, but development as the long-term answers to the needs of nations.

Yes, it’s a shame the Haitian earthquake disaster happened, but raising the dignity of the people to care for their own needs is more of a disaster of shame.

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