1. Haiti Why is Haiti so Poor? Colonialism Debt Trade
Take a closer look at the root causes. Click on a topic to learn more.
Colonialism
Debt
Trade
Political Leadership
Greed
Haiti
Natural Disasters
Sources:
U.S. Department of State.
CIA World Factbook.
BBC News – Country Profile.
Jubilee USA – Haiti.
US Geological Survey
New York Times, “To Heal Haiti, Look to History, Not Nature” 1/22/10
International Aid
Key Indicators
Hope for Haiti
Exit

2. Colonialism
The island of Hispaniola was discovered by Christopher Columbus in The native Taino peoples were nearly destroyed within 25 years of colonization.
Slaves were brought over from Africa to work the land. In 1697, Spain ceded the western third of Hispaniola to the French; it became Haiti.
In 1791 a slave revolt attempted to throw up the colonial yoke of France.
Haiti was one of the richest colonies on Earth and during the colonial era produced 60% of all Europe’s coffee and 40% of all Europe’s sugar – the great cash crop of the time.
Haiti became the first black republic to declare independence in 1804, the result of the only successful slave rebellion in world history.
The legacy of Colonialism meant each successive ruling power would continue to exploit the agricultural richness of Haiti, perpetuate a pattern of oppressive elites ruling the country, disregard the rights of those ruled, and consolidate power and resources to the detriment of the majority of people.
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3. Debt
The independence of Haiti meant an enslavement on another order – namely debt. In order to ‘purchase’ it’s independence, Haiti was forced to pay France.
French colonial debt in exchange for Haiti’s independence amounted to $21 billion in today’s dollars (then 150 million francs)Haiti was paying this debt until
Haiti pays $50 million a year in debt service - the government pays over $1 million a week in the form of debt payments.
1.2 billion of Haiti's debt was cancelled in June 2009.
The largest share of Haiti's foreign debt is owed to the Inter-American Development Bank (41 percent of total external debt), the World Bank (27 percent), and bilateral creditors (24 percent).
Debt has crippled Haiti’s economy and kept its people enslaved in poverty.
Sources:
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4. Trade
Haiti used to be self-sustaining in terms of staple crops but is now a net importer of food.
For more than 60 years, the U.S. refused to recognize Haiti and placed a trade embargo on Haiti. (refused to trade with Haiti)
Within the space of a generation, Haiti has regressed from self- sufficiency in domestic food production to substantial dependency on imports.
In the 1990’s the tariff on rice was reduced from 35% to 3%, opening the floodgates to cheap imports from subsidized US farmers.
U.S. subsidized rice and sugar has crippled Haiti’s agricultural system and many citizens cannot afford to buy even staple food.
Over 80% of staple rice grain is now imported.
As a result of the lack of agricultural self-sufficiency, over half of the population is undernourished and 24% of children are classed as suffering chronic malnutrition
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5. Political Leadership Close Political rule has been marked by:
Haiti has been plagued by political violence for most of its history which has prevented its development.
1957 to 1986 Haiti was ruled by the corrupt and oppressive Duvalier family.
Saw a series of coups, revolutions and failed elections.
1990: Aristide was democratically elected in with 67% of the popular vote.
Aristide’s policies were a threat to Haitian elite, US economic and political interests
1991: Coup by Haitian Military leaders who were trained by CIA in Ft. Benning, Georgia (under George H. Bush, Sr.)
1994: with one year left in his term, Aristide was restored to power.
2000: Aristide won the election back with 91% of the vote.
2004: Armed rebellion forced the resignation and exile of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide a second time in February 2004 (a 2nd U.S. backed coup – U.S. special forces kidnapped and removed Aristide from power) (under George W. Bush, Jr.)
2006: Haiti democratically elected Rene Preval who has also been accused of corruption and graft.
Political rule has been marked by:
Power consolidation by the elites
Cronyism and corruption
Misuse and theft of foreign aid
Destruction of domestic businesses.
Pervasive human and civil rights abuses.
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6. Greed
Political leaders have been accused of perpetuating a culture of greed and corruption.
During the Duvalier era, while the country’s lenders turned a blind eye to the corruption within, the Duvaliers incurred 45% of the country’s current external debt.
Aristide was likewise accused of allegations of corruption and links to the drugs trade.
While the rulers gained, the people lost.
The wedding of “baby Doc” was reported to have cost more than 3 million dollars which came out of the government treasury.
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7. Natural Disasters Close 1770 - Earthquake devastates Port-au-Prince
Quake destroys Cap-Haitien, other cities
Storm kills 2,000
Tsunami kills 1,790
Hurricane Hazel kills hundreds
Hurricane Flora kills 6,000 in Haiti and Cuba
Hurricane Gordon kills hundreds
Hurricane Georges destroys 80% of crops
Floods kill 2,600
Tropical Storm Jeanne kills 1,900
Tropical Storm Noel triggers mudslides, floods
Three hurricanes and tropical storm kill more than 1,000 people and leave 800,000 homeless
2010 – Earthquake hits Port-au-Prince, killing more than 230,000 and leaving more than 1 million people homeless
The recent frequency of natural disaster has contributed to the deforestation of Haiti and left it in a constant state of rebuilding.
Funds have been diverted from economic development to rebuilding projects. Those who are poor suffer the worst effects and cannot regain their economic footing.
Sources: AP, US Geological Survey
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8. International Aid
Much of the international aid that has gone to Haiti has been siphoned off by those in power.
Aid intended for projects to reduce poverty and increase the quality of life of the citizens has been squandered, misappropriated or stolen.
Heavy reliance on aid has weakened the initiative of the Haitian people and perpetuated a culture of dependency.
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and has more NGO’s working in country than anywhere else.
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9. Key Indicators Indicator U.S. Haiti Close Per Capita Annual Income
$37,000
$360
% of Population below the Poverty Line
12%
89%
Infant Mortality
6 per 1000 die
118 per
1000 die
Life Expectancy
78 years
57 years
Literacy rate
99%
53%
80% of Haiti’s population lives in abject poverty and one out of twelve children dies before reaching their fifth birthday.
Source: CIA Worldfact book
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10. Hope for Haiti
The people of Haiti are strong, resilient and resourceful. Long experience has taught them to survive against all odds
With support and solidarity, pressure and attention must continue to focus on assisting with the rebuilding of Haiti
Work must continue and political pressure must be brought to bear on eliminating the life-threatening debt of Haiti in order to free up resources to build the local economy.
Infrastructure and social services must be made more widely available to support the human dignity of the people of Haiti.
What can you do?
Follow legislative efforts to eliminate the debt of Haiti and let your voice be heard.
Support the work of Catholic Relief Services in Haiti in the rebuilding and capacity building efforts.
Support the initiatives of the people of Haiti.
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