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Haiti after the earthquake, attacks on Indians in Australia, Africa Cup of Nations

by Tony Cross

Article published on the 2010-01-22 Latest update 2010-01-22 18:20 TU

Homeless Haitians pray in Port-au-Prince
(Photo: Reuters)

Is there looting in Haiti, following the earthquake there? Is France being generous enough in response to the disaster? Are Indians justified in complaining about violence in Australia? And should Paul Myers dance in Angola?

The chaos that followed the devastating earthquake in Haiti has led to debate of coverage of the international aid effort and local people’s response.

Many media implied that there was actual or potential violence and RFI reported fears of looting early this week.

“Looting!? Hey white man, what is the alternative? Abide by the law and die?” asks José Filardo from Brazil. “We should not expect anything different in an extreme situation such as this one. It seems to me that this is justifiable expropriation.”

José’s comments sparked debate in our newsroom, with general agreement that it is not reasonable to describe people who take food to survive as looters. Indeed, RFI’s Daniel Vallot reported “a remarkable outburst of mutual aid and solidarity” as the main Haitian response, commenting that “there is nothing like the security chaos that most people were saying was inevitable”.

But, as President René Préval pointed out in an exclusive interview with RFI, thousands of gangsters escaped from jail and there were fears, and some reports, of armed men extorting money and robbery for profit.

“That's why there woz such widescale looting: escaped jailed persons,” comments Jean-Claude from Guinea.

H Marchand of the Potomac Planning and Evaluation Group approves of France’s call for a cancellation of Haiti’s debt.

“The length of time and costs it has taken for the US to address the needs of Louisiana after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina is indicative of the complexity of recovery,” he comments.  

“It is good to hear that France is leading the way on the debt forgiveness.The world already knows that the voluntary efforts in Haiti of French health professionals is highly valued.”

But Mark Nolan of the US was annoyed by reports of Franco-American tensions over the aid operation.

“Here in America we can dial a number on our cell phones, then write the word 'Haiti' and a donation of 10 dollars is automatically sent to the Red Cross,” he writes. “So far I understand that more than 10 million dollars has been raised. That was as of yesterday. And the economy here isn't great, but still, we're giving to ease human suffering. I also heard the French government donated TWO MILLION DOLLARS. Wow! Apparently [French Co-operation Minister] Monsieur Joyandet's concept of gratitude goes hand in hand with the French definition of generosity.”

By Friday French people had donated 13,400,000 euros to a television and radio appeal for Haiti.

Another American, Kemp, wants us to join an international prayer day for Haiti on Sunday 31 January

“Please join with people of all faiths around the world to pray for Haiti,” the appeal reads. “As we all know, Haiti has suffered great loss and misery due to the recent earthquake; but many people do not realize that Haiti has been suffering from poverty, high unemployment, and natural catastrophes for many decades.

“Please join in prayer for SAFETY, PEACE, PROSPERITY, SPIRITUAL GROWTH and TRANSFORMATION for Haiti.”

There has been a mixed response to Indian complaints of attacks on their fellow compatriots in Australia.

While Canadian Mike Karmali suggests they might respond in kind, fellow-Canadian Kenneth T Tellis is more sceptical.

“Now let's get something very clear, when France 24 exposed the attacks and murder in India of 200 Christians and four Christian ministers, the government of India not only denied the murders but went in seach of the France 24 journalists to find and punish them for letting the world know about it,” he writes.

“Indians are well-known for arresting foreign journalists for seeking news in India which falsely claims to be a democracy. A Brahmin Republic with a Caste system that apes South African apartheid is no democracy, believe you me.”

Adam Nelson, of the UK, has a message for our reporter at the Africa Cup of  Nations, Paul Myers, who has been blogging every day.

“Please don't dance, especially without red shoes, it may be dangerous,” he writes in response to Paul’s promise to celebrate the appearance of sunshine in gloomy Lubango.

"Is that really you in the picture?" asks Londoner Nelson of the photo attached to Paul's blog on leaving Benguela, which he says "looks like a film set in Casablanca".

Actually, Nelson, it's an archive photo and Paul is much more elegant than the gentleman in the photo. Check out his portrait in our Olympics dossier, if you don't believe me.

Finally, Stoyan Stoyanov in Sofia, laments the passing of RFI’s Bulgarian service, as part of a cutback programme.

“Easy I can say you were the unique radio station on Bulgarian air, the only one which helps the person calmly enter the everyday life,” he comments. “Because of that I’ve receive with big grave the news you will not produce anymore your Bulgarian version of RFI. Also I would say thanks to the news team, the people which introduce the daily information in their conservative and easy way.”

News about RFI

I will be reporting from the international meetings on Yemen and Afghanistan in London on Wednesday and Thursday next week.

Paul Myers continues reporting from the Africa Cup of Nations until 31 January.

Most viewed on RFI this week:

• French-Haitians call for immigration rules waiver;
• Government relaxes curfew as death toll tops 400;
• Haiti will recover, says President René Préval;
• Countries across the world pledge millions towards aid;
• Playwright petrol attack handed to terrorist police.

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