Development Takes Center Stage in Haiti
Development’s vital role in stabilizing failing and troubled states was spotlighted as the U.S. government rushed to help beleaguered Haiti over the past ten days. Demonstrating a “whole of government” response, the White House and Congressional leaders mobilized relief workers, food, water and other recovery supplies to Haiti with U.S. development, diplomacy, and defense operations all having a major hand in the process—a true testament to smart power at work.
New USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah has been on the job only three weeks, and this trial by fire has shown the leading role development is playing in this effort. The President designated Shah as the government’s “unified disaster coordinator,” noting this was important to “ensure that we coordinate our effort.” Shah was on every major morning television show the day after the quake, and The Washington Post writes Shah “has wowed the White House and State Department, with top officials in both places praising his steady leadership and command of the evolving operations in Port-au-Prince.”
Top lawmakers on the Hill moved instantly to provide emergency funding for the effort, as more than a dozen Senators sent a letter to Democratic and Republican leaders urging that they “include robust emergency funds to assist Haiti in the next legislative vehicle before the Senate.” Highlighting the importance of a long-term response, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State-Foreign Operations, underscored the importance of a U.S. commitment for long-term programs to help Haiti rebuild.
Thus far the U.S. Government has provided $115 million to assist Haiti, and President Obama stood with former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton last Saturday to announce the two former leaders will work together in raising awareness of relief efforts now and in the future to ensure a long-term, sustainable development effort.
Can We Rebuild a Sustainable Haiti?
Haiti & Deepening Perspectives on Sustainable Land Development
http://www.sldi.org/newService/SLDIJan2010.html
Haiti was devastated by yet another catastrophic event that literally drives the inevitible outcome of unsustainable land development into the ground. Beyond the immediate relief efforts, perhaps now is the time to seriously consider restoring a sustainable Haiti…
Sustainable Land Development International (SLDI) Sets Sights on Haiti
http://www.sldtonline.com/content/view/632/
…As SLDI furthers the execution of its mission of promoting and enabling sustainable land development worldwide, we continue to empower people throughout the world to achieve greater balance among the needs of people, planet and profit. One international community in dire need of attention is Haiti.
As a direct result of unsustainable land development practices, this mountainous country is now in a mountain of trouble. Once a powerful society rich in natural resources, Haiti is now the most deforested country on Earth. As a result, it has become the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, and it continues to decline…
…SLDI has begun to mobilize its efforts to help Haitians restore their country to sustainability. Ultimately, for environmental restoration, economic development and equitable social systems to take root in Haiti, the Haitian people must become engaged and take full ownership over the efforts…
The SLDI Code™
http://www.sldi.org/images/Research/sldi%20in%20focus%20-%20world%5C%27s...
The World’s 1st Sustainable Land Development Best Practices System is symbolized as a geometrical algorithm that balances and integrates the triple-bottom-line needs of people, planet and profit into a holistic, fractal model that becomes increasingly detailed, guiding effective decisions throughout the community planning, financing, design, regulating, construction and maintenance processes while always enabling project context to drive specific decisions.
Your participation and comments are welcome.
Terry Mock
Executive Director
Sustainable Land Development International
http://www.SLDI.org