The M/V SeaHunter was just off shore at Miragoane today, ready to transfer the ten 20' containers with relief supplies to the dock but was not allowed to. The inept and narrow-minded bureaucrats who work in customs pulled the same stuff they always do, wanting more and more paperwork and documentation proving that we are a valid non-profit, that we pay our taxes. It's a ploy they use to get as much out of people as they can. They could care less that this is for the poor and displaced. Just another example of why Haiti has been and will continue to be at the bottom of the heap when it comes to countries in the western hemisphere. The assistant director of customs suggested that if some of the humanitarian goods were for Miragoane that a way could be found to facilitate this transfer.
It was decided to pull away and head for Les Cayes. Here, the mayor, the President's representative, the mayor of Ile-a-Vache will welcome the ship with open arms. We will get the contents of the ten containers and the
vultures political leaders will get the rest. And we were so looking forward to using those containers on our property at Castel-Pere! I feel bad for the captain and crew of the SeaHunter. They sacrificed time (lots of it) and themselves to do something noble for our unfortunate sisters and brothers and this is what happens.
Pray that things go smoothly tomorrow.
Arrggghhh! What an absolute drag. I pray that you will receive the goods (and the assistance) that is rightfully yours~~God have mercy.
ReplyDeleteIt appears that the wrong people are in prison. How can the Haitian government beg for relief help and thwart attempts to obtain that help for it's citizens? I guess that's why Haiti is in the state it is in.
ReplyDeleteSorry but could you clarify? I understand that you get the contents and they keep the 10 20' containers. What portion of the cargo are these 10 20 foot containers?
ReplyDeletePraying that you will receive your container.
ReplyDelete-I am so sorry for this frustration and these delays, not just to your group, but to all the folks, from Maine to Miami, who worked so hard to get this one shipment to young Haitians in need!
ReplyDelete-It is truly hard to believe, but somehow, somewhere, good people will grow stronger each time a petty official digs himself a deeper, dirtier hole. There will be a balance sheet!
-So hang in there: Many, many folks are pulling for you.
CNN is reporting on this going on in PAP now. Soledad Obrien did a similar story yesterday. Haiti seems to be "back in business"....how terrible for their own people.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2010/02/26/obrien.haiti.emergency.over.cnn?iref=allsearch
Sorry, but the US should have stepped in and taken over, rebuilt the country, established law and order a working government and then handed the country back in 50 years.
ReplyDeleteUNBELIEVABLE!!! I am speechless! (other than a few choice words that can not be said)
ReplyDelete"We will get the contents of the ten containers and the vultures political leaders will get the rest." ..."political leaders will get the rest!" It concerns me that anyone could or would try to profit from this catastrophe. I have a nightmare image of a fat-cat politician reclined on one of the hospital beds we put on the Sea Hunter - while the needy are comforted on the ground. - That's an ugly picture.
ReplyDeleteRichard Dickey, richarddickey@yahoo.com Richmond, Maine
The amount of corruption at the Haitian Customs is insane. I know people that routinely bring medical supplies to Haiti and have to pay and ave of $150 in bribes every time they go. There need to be some sort of major penalty for this corruption but it goes all the way up.
ReplyDeleteThe UN are peace keepers not peace makers, but the money that could be saved and spent by cleaning up the day to day corruption would go a lot farther.
This type of behavior has to be stopped. It has to come to light and ended somehow. God bless all those who are trying to help. We can't give up.
ReplyDeleteI suggest that every one in the US call the White House Comments line to expose this. The same thing is going on all over Haiti. The number is 202-456-1414.
ReplyDeleteHumans can be so cruel, only through God will we make a difference in this terrible world.
ReplyDelete