NEWS JUNKIE POST
Feb 5, 2010 at 6:22 pmIn Haiti, President Clinton Acknowledges “Bottlenecks” In Aid Distribution
Photo by NJP
Reporting from Port-au-Prince
President Bill Clinton has promised 100 new pick up trucks for Haiti. The new vehicles will help distribute the aid to neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince and outside the city.
Clinton was visiting Gheskio, a medical clinic in Port-au-Prince on Friday. He admitted to “bottlenecks” in the distribution of aid since the earthquake.
“That’s why I came here today, I’m trying to get to where the bottlenecks are,” Clinton told the NJP. “Part of it is just getting the volume of food here. Part of it (also) is that with 16 food distribution centers, it’s an enormous stretch for the World Food Program, but how many people need food? One million, two million…keep in mind most Haitians still don’t have cars and can’t find a cab. It’s not easy for them to get around to 16 food distribution centers.”
Haitians are growing desperate for the need for food, water and shelter. There was another mass demonstration in Port-au-Prince Friday; people were demanding that the aid be distributed.
Many Haitians are talking about corruption — some claim that sacks of rice are being sold at markets and that coupons for food distribution are being forged. The fake coupons are selling on the streets for as much as $30 for a sack of rice.
The US Military is struggling to distribute the aid, it is doing so at 16 distribution centers throughout the country, four in Port-au-Prince. The troops arrive once a day for about an hour to give food to people who wait in long lines under the hot sun. Many walk away with nothing, never making it to the front of the line.
Stampedes of people that want to get food are also causing many injuries. Haitians are being crushed by crowds and turning out with open wounds.
RAIN IS ANOTHER DANGER
As the rainy season approaches the UN is trying to hurry in providing tents to the survivors living in tent cities.
UN Assistant Secretary General Edmond Mulet said on Thursday at the Brazilian Minustah that the priority is in the distribution of tents and other temporary housing for the survivors.
Follow Dolores M. Bernal on Twitter.
Dolores M. Bernal will continue reporting from Haiti this week.
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