Haiti as One of Poorest Nation in the Western Hemisphere - Research Paper Example

Introduction Haiti is one of poorest nation in the western hemisphere and the home of most of the richest individuals in the world (millionaires). About 80% of the population in Haiti is extremely poor. The nation has experienced decline or stagnation in the per Capita GDP since independence, in 1954. Approximately three quarters of the citizen are poor and more than half of the population is extremely poor. The present transition of governments appears to be extremely helpless against the rise of levels of poverty in that nation. This discussion will critically analyze different factors that contributed to Haitis poverty, and ways in which tourism could help revive Haitis economy. Discussion There are various factors that are thought as primary causes of Haitis poverty; for instance, widespread corruption. Studies reveal that the nation is highly corrupted, and that yearly, many of the humanitarian aid is cratered by the top officials. The 2006, World Bank Report, reveals that the business regulation process in Haiti is highly complex, and procedures of customs are lengthy. Natural disaster plays a significant role in crippling Haitis economy. Addressing natural disasters need resilience and sustainable economy that can support the process of rebuilding (which is lacking in Haiti). The economic system in Haiti is unable to expand as a result of lack of adequate fund. Even though, the private sector under the wealthy individuals is richer than the public sector, it has been unable to address and assist the disaster-stricken regions. This makes the economy extremely weak to support the countries monetary needs. Deforestation has severely exacerbated the effects of tropical storms and hurricanes. Frequent disaster has destroyed crops, and inadequate green belts have led to food insecurity. The main cause of environmental degradation in Haiti has been caused by the need for energy, by Haitian population, (Lundahl 308). Electricity sector in Haiti provided for only 10% of the population in 2006, this resulted to chronic shortages of energy, thus forcing the 90% remaining population to search for alternative energy sources. Consequently, the natural environment, wood developed into and continues to be the primary source of energy for Haitian population. This amounted for over 70% of the consumption of energy in 2006 alone. This led to the constant Haiti deforestation and about 6,000 hectares loss of soil, per annum, to soil erosion. The loss of tree cover due to deforestation has had destructive impacts. For instance, the 2004 hurricane Jeanne that broke through the nation island causing the death of more than 3000 people and destruction of property of unknown value. Observers report that the majority of people perished in massive landslides as a result of large amounts of falling water, sweeping away cover and brushing through communities, leaving behind marks of crop destruction. Effects of deforestation in Haiti contribute immensely to the main cause of climate change in the modern era. Also, extreme weather conditions additionally risk the land, with torrential rainfall during the season of hurricane flowing down deforested slopes and mountains and devastating homes, roads and fields. The country is and will remain highly susceptible to natural disaster such as landslides and extreme storms and the associated secondary calamities, (Lundahl 452). Since the forest cover of the country is long gone, and the natural environment is fundamentally uncovered; it is this series of failures that have led to poverty as witnessed today. Poor planning, government failures and environmental loss can be cited as the primary cause of economic decline, and the resulting food insecurity and poverty in Haiti. Frequent and regular deforestation of the mountainous Haiti terrain led to the disastrous soil erosion in Haiti. The four key causes of soil erosion include, ignorance, need for fuel, need to make a living and inadequate motivation to reform. Charcoal is the primary supply of cooking energy in rural areas, in Haiti. People cut down trees to burn charcoal for both commercial and domestic purposes, as few of them have alternative sources of income. Haiti experiences a high unemployment rates and most people have inadequate access to farm lands. Also, there is inadequate motivation for the wood cutters to practice afforestation to replace the trees after cutting them down. The effect of deforestation by the Haitian population led to disastrous soil erosion that swept off the soil from the rich mountainous regions causing low agricultural productivity, hence poor economy and poverty. Access and availability of health care is almost non-existent in Haiti. More than 60% of Haitian population has inadequate access to most basic health care facilities and services. There is rampant disease, extreme overcrowding and high unemployment rates in the country. Over two third of the workforce lack, regular job, and those with jobs make less than $2 per day. The children in Haiti are largely dependent on benevolence and generosity of well wishers for their most essential needs. Poverty causes poor health in a country, (Lundahl 77). The impacts of poverty are multilayered, leading to a spiral that is hard to break off from; for example, a large percentage of the population cannot afford to visit a doctor; free health clinics are non-existent, and organization such as doctors without partners and borders in health work to avail medical care to all cannot be found. In rural areas, such facilities (free clinic) may be there but are highly unaffordable and miles away from their homes, thus inaccessible. Transportation cost as well as the necessary time required to get to health care centers is extremely high for most Haitian rural dwellers. The overall medical professional’s shortage in Haiti contributed to poverty of the country. Studies reveal that the number of medical professionals (doctors) per about 100,000 Haitian is 25. Many diseases like cholera epidemic swept and killed most of the Haitian population in 2006 due to the inadequacy of basic medical resources. Also, citizen’s inability to take principal precaution like hand washing, and lack of doctors to attend to the sick people aggravated poverty levels. Tourism is a credible force in restoring and rebuilding Haitis economic turndown caused by disastrous calamities. It does not redirect the limited resources such as the remarkable and lucrative beach, citadel among others but offer more restoration and expansion opportunities. Haiti has unknown heritage such as pestle, camp perrin, port-a-piment among others, which are regions of legend and mystery. They attract tourists in need for adventure and others in need for admiration of nature wonders. The republic of Haiti is highly sensitive to beaches and caves for the various legends surrounding them. The tourism industry requires modest capital to start and maintain. Most of the population on the neighboring Cuba islands makes modest incomes through renting their rooms to travelers. Consequently, this help to promote their economic status as visitors often leave something tangible on their visit to sites, such as foreign currency, an essential commodity for the reconstruction of Haiti in the absence of emergency funds. For instance, when the 2004, Tsunami swept along the Indian ocean, many people both tourist and locals perished on the Phuket island. In the next day, one of the main isles dive businesses, which had escaped the arbitrary geographic fortune, began saving clients as normal. Though some may have perceived this as disgusting profit taking, the survivors saw it as s start of restoration of an entranced island. Together with attracting tourists, tourism industry mainly creates employment opportunities for Haitian young people. According to Lundahl, the country has realized the important role that tourism can play in the restoration of the economy, and is devoted to supporting all specialized tourism agencies to transform Haiti into a modern tourist destination. The tourism sector will create employment and facilitate the countrys sustainable development. Development of sustainable tourism will encourage the development and expansion of infrastructure (roads, houses, and industries), and thus improved economy. Finally, Haiti can persuade people to visit their tourist sites such as fish life, scuba diving, beaches and citadel by offering them employment to the sites as tour guides. Creating better water supplies and roads to support the development of the areas infrastructure and facilitate easy transportation of people to the sites will attract more people. Also, entertainment or recreational facilities, restaurants, health systems and public places around such areas motivate more people to visit. Perceptions are highly embedded in the minds of many people of the world as well as Haitians. The country need to change the perception and stigma associated with frequent natural and manmade disasters. Also, the government needs to look for a permanent solution to such disastrous catastrophes and restore the countrys image. In addition, maintaining security around such area and along the borders will attract more tourists to the area. Conclusion Most causes of poverty in Haiti are manmade, therefore, proper planning, environmental conservation and social development, as well as development and expansion of the tourism sector, will play a significant role in eradicating poverty and rebuilding the economy. According to President Martelly (president of Haiti), rebuilding of the country must involve more than just construction of new residence, education, employment and health facilities and services; they should be developed along with proper disaster mitigation programs. Works cited Lundahl, Mats. Poverty in Haiti: Essays on Underdevelopment and Post Disaster Prospects. Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. Print. Lundahl, Mats. Poverty in Haiti. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010, print. Read More