Haití: Una Lenta Recuperación

It’s been two years since a devastating earthquake hit Haiti, claiming some 300,000 lives. Since then $4.6 billion in aid money has been sent to the country, along with ambitious plans designed to build a new nation, building things like this: a huge, new hospital that offers more than 200 beds. But in many places, there’s still little sign of reconstruction. In fact, only about half of the aid money has been spent, and only four of the ten largest projects funded by international donors have broken ground. Nonetheless, officials are urging charities and other agencies to continue their help. “Now that the emergency period is over, we are asking them to reengage in assisting us to rebuild for the long term and rebuild well.” But the efforts to create a new country so far have been a cause of frustration. Half a million people are still living in crowded camps and they’re angry. They’ve now started demonstrating against the lack of housing and evictions that have pushed them elsewhere. Nicole Grether, The Associated Press.