Condolences for Haiti

09 February 2010 Statement in the House

Our heart-felt condolences go to the people of Haiti today.

Over the Christmas/ New Year holiday period, we looked on in shock and horror as this fragile and poverty stricken country crumbled in a devastating earthquake.

It seemed so unfair that one of the poorest countries in the world should fall victim to a natural disaster of this magnitude.

Port au Prince is an earthquake prone capital just like Wellington. But we have spent hundreds of millions of dollars earthquake-proofing our civic buildings. Haitian buildings look less stable than matchbox houses.

So why was there no solid infrastructure in Haiti?

The simple answer is that Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world and we are not.
The real tragedy for Haiti is that before the earthquake hit, the government of René Préval had committed itself to a huge program of development.

The international community, led by former US President Bill Clinton, had got behind Haiti.
A huge program was about to begin.

Finally, this country was on the right road for growth after years of dictatorship and corrupt government.

Then the earthquake hit.

Today, the international community - including New Zealand - must pick up that action plan again. We must listen to the people of Haiti. It is my heartfelt hope that the government will represent New Zealand and decide to play a role in that recovery phase, no matter how small our part.

We can help decide if Haiti will have a future of growth, or will return to abject poverty.
The decisions the international community make today really matter.

When NGOs and governments go in to build temporary housing and offer shelter to the thousands of homeless, we must make sure that these are built in areas where there is long term economic potential.

Because temporary housing has a habit of becoming permanent. Not all the building should be in earthquake prone Port au Prince, for example.

Build shelters that can be expanded if the temporary dwellings end up being more permanent.

I would hope also that New Zealand will be a strong voice in the international community for jobs. Because what the Haitian people need after the immediate relief effort is done, is jobs.

When the international community, NGOs and governments move in to help re-build the roads, the power stations and the buildings - use Haitian labour. Give the people jobs.

By all means, bring in the skilled labour Haiti doesn’t have – but Haiti doesn’t just need ‘doctors without borders’, it needs architects and engineers and accountants without borders.

Use the people of Haiti to build, and give them a living.

New Zealand will do much for the people of Haiti if we advocate for this approach to development right from the beginning.

This has been an unimaginable tragedy for Haiti. The re-building of this country must now be seen as an opportunity for a country and a people who deserve a better future.

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