Latest update: 18/01/2010 

- Haiti earthquake


‘Haiti can’t get back on its feet, it's impossible’

‘Haiti can’t get back on its feet, it's impossible’

Eight years after he was forced to leave his country for political reasons, Philomé Robert, a FRANCE 24 journalist, returned to Haiti to cover the earthquake. For someone born and raised in Haiti, the sight awaiting him was overwhelming.

By Philomé ROBERT (text)
 

I had a sense of the destruction the minute I touched down in the Dominican Republic. All along the way, there were flags hanging at half mast and we could see the solidarity of the Dominican people with Haiti and convoys coming and going.

‘I’m personally affected, scarred by what I’ve seen'

“I’m back with my family – they are alive and well, but homeless, in the street, like many of Port-au-Prince’s residents. Their houses have collapsed, many are completely destroyed, but they are alive. I hugged my mother, my sister, people close to me. I’ve lost many others, friends, cousins but the members of my immediate family are ok.

Now I’m trying to get them evacuated to the north of the country.

I am personally affected, scarred by what I’ve seen.

I’m back here again after eight years, after having left in rather exceptional circumstances: I was the victim of an assassination attempt because I was working for ‘opposition’ radio.

Philomé Robert wishes to thank FRANCE 24’s Internet users and television audience for their messages of support.
 

But it was completely different arriving in Port-au-Prince – the capital was destroyed, devastated. I could never have imagined the city where I lived most of my life looking like this. I literally broke down.

It’s exhausting. It’s easy to feel angry, but with who? It’s just terrible, there are no other words.

Haiti can’t get back on its feet, it’s impossible. Knowing the people here and the way this already fragile state works, you know it’s impossible.

The police headquarters, just next to the airport, are serving as a makeshift presidential palace for what is left of the government to meet. After the quake, members of the government went out searching for their loved ones – they are all victims too, losing a child, a mother…

Everything that basically constitutes the state is in pieces. They are trying to give some sort of response, to coordinate the massive amount of international aid that’s arriving. But that’s not really evident on the ground.

There are still many corpses piled up in the streets and as for the rubble…….Port-au-Prince and the surrounding area is in ruins. The state is trying to get back on its feet but it’s extremely complicated.”

Date created : 18/01/2010 
Comments (9)

with God

by Anonyme - 08/02/2010 - 13:14

nothing can be done if the God we serve is out
haiti can only rise aagain if only God is in control
may GOD have mercy on haiti

Haiti

by Anonyme - 08/02/2010 - 00:25

what why din't the helper's just det up and find people instead of saying oh to bad if people are in there im going to bulldose it down, so if there are pepole there their dead because they don't care about other people but the ones that yell for help so why don't they just go to every building that are damiched. well my school fun raised money for Haiti but we had to see which class can raise more money and my grade 6\7 class did we raise $420.

Haiti's Solution

by Anonyme - 03/02/2010 - 08:16

"I think Mr. Robert is right. Perhaps one should take the Senegalese offer up and have a mass migration or "return to the ancestral land" of Haitians to West Africa. International aid would then be directed to building new cities and towns in Senegal and just raze the rubble in Haiti. Let the island revert to a natural state and replemish its forests to serve as a lung for mankind."

That's the idea, isn't it? Create conditions that either kill the people off or make them run away from the island for their lives. So France and the USA can take it over and maybe split it the way Spain and France once split?

meddy ranks in prayer

by Anonyme - 24/01/2010 - 01:38

Haiti from a distance am here with you, i can feel your pain and the sufferation that you people are going under give me sleepless night and unexplainable ways to say my words, but by the grace and faith of the most high you will be at peace one day someway, bless

SORRY

by Anonyme - 22/01/2010 - 20:35

hey i'm sry this happend I hope what we send you guys will help a little

Comment on Haiti

by Anonyme - 19/01/2010 - 10:41

Yes, Haiti can get back on its feet. The people are resiliant and have a faith in God that surpasses understanding. France has no place to criticize any other nation for their response to the earthquake catastrophe. France should pay back the exhorbitant reparations to the Haitian people, with interest, it exacted on Haiti for overthrowing its oppressors centuries ago. France and the U.S. have been the most complicit of nations, for over 2 centruies, for exacting policies designed to keep the people poor and impoverished. Hopefully, this will bring to light the oppressive, exploitive policies exacted on blacks in many countries in the Caribbean, South and Central America. The UN is nothing more than an international military designed to control the country of Haiti (as well as others) and back whatever government figurehead (puppet) they have in place. The "elite" of the whole world have an interest in seeing Haiti and other predominately black countries fail. If they were to succeed, it would dismantle the whole white supremist myth, and expose evidence that proves countries have lied for centuries regarding the accomplishments and capabilities of black people.

We feel your greaf also and weep

by Anonyme - 18/01/2010 - 21:32

To all you dear people of Haiti, WE here in grass Valley,Calif.
U.S.A.send our most heartfelt condolences to you all..and our prayers go up night and day for you all,we are a compassionate people here in america,and hope the best for all countrys,BUT, today ALL of our prayers are for you..GOD bless you in Jesus'name..

My heart goes out to you and

by Anonyme - 18/01/2010 - 17:34

My heart goes out to you and your Country.
Stay strong Philome,
you are in my prayers.

Haiti's Solution

by Anonyme - 18/01/2010 - 16:59

I think Mr. Robert is right. Perhaps one should take the Senegalese offer up and have a mass migration or "return to the ancestral land" of Haitians to West Africa. International aid would then be directed to building new cities and towns in Senegal and just raze the rubble in Haiti. Let the island revert to a natural state and replemish its forests to serve as a lung for mankind.

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