Unrest in Haiti

Although no British broadcaster is covering the story there are reports of unrest in Haiti. From the information I have been able to piece together there's has been a week of protest that has spilled over into minor rioting that has left one person dead and at least two lightly injured by rubber bullets fired by UN Peacekeepers. The protests have been called in response to what is seen as a lack of action by the Haitian government following January's earthquake.

Between the Court of Protection thing, the General Election thing, the hen house thing and today's Queen's Speech nonsense I have not been able to take a proper look at the Haiti donors conference and re-construction efforts in the country. However from the quick look I have taken it seems that the Americans are taking re-construction in Haiti very seriously and have already said anything I was going to say and more.

They are focusing their efforts on long term redevelopment of the country over the next five, ten and fifteen years meaning that the earthquake and hurricanes that may occur in 2015 and 2020 will have little or no impact on life in Haiti. Unfortunately this means that they are unable to do much in the short-term. It would be nice if they could do more ahead of 2010's hurricane season but six months is too short a time to re-build a nation.

As for the recent unrest well the British, Canadians and French have been stirring the pot for a long time. The most recent outburst though seems to have been driven by the Brazilians who are desperately looking for an explanation of why that Iran deal fell through.

Of course all that is completely meaningless to the Haitians who are now looking forward to a hurricane season that will be dangerous at best. Sadly I cannot see how more violence is going to do anything to make that situation any better.