Port au Prince, Haiti - Essay Example

Rebuilding Haiti’s Transportation System (After the Earthquake) The poorest and least-developed country in the Western Hemisphere has been struggling to rehabilitate its political and economic system after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake has struck and devastated almost all its essential infrastructures, not to mention its international port located in Port-au-Prince which is considered as Haiti’s lifeline to the world having ninety percent of its major port activity (Mosley, 2010; Hall, 2010).

Needless to say, the country’s transportation system has been enormously affected to the detriment of its commerce and trade industry. However, in light of the country’s colonial past, there are practical measures that are referred to as viable and feasible as of this moment to rebuild its transportation facilities. Gathering Financial Support Gathering of financial aid from any agencies whether local or foreign is the most important task amongst others. Reconstructing the public transport systems such as seaports and airports need sufficient budget so that the projected plans for rehabilitation can be possibly implemented without further delay.

In line with this, monetary aid from organizations such as the United Nations (U.N.) and the International Monetary Fund (I.M.F.) can be utilized. Also, companies and banks from the different parts of the globe can be made as agents of Haiti government in accepting monetary donations. Appealing this aid to the masses can be done through print and electronic media. Encouraging More Coast Guard Effort The coast guards especially the U.S. Coast Guard group called Coast Guard Cutter Oak has been proven helpful in facilitating the movement of vessels inside and outside the Haiti ports right after the earthquake.

As such, they have been dubbed as an “integral part in the recovery of Haiti’s main harbor” (Mosley, 2010). Their crew members were the main rescuers for survivors in the port. They have helped in “tending the wounded, surveying the harbor, preparing any affected aids-to-navigation to service and placing additional buoys in marking a safe route into the harbor” (Mosley, 2010). This coast guard organization has been working with the Coast Guard Maritime Transportation System Recovery Unit (MTSRU), a team specially “designed for coordinating the rebuild of a transportation infrastructure” in Haiti (Mosley, 2010).

In fact, according to PO1 David Mosley (2010), with the combined oversight and expertise of the two groups, “the ports of Haiti are poised to steadily come back online.” Accordingly, encouraging more coast guards to intervene and help will benefit Haiti.Providing Basic Trainings Providing trainings such as to improve construction skills and first aid knowledge are surely advantageous in gearing towards the rehabilitation of Haiti. Knowing the basics of construction will enable the citizens to reconstruct partially destroyed minor infrastructures.

Significantly, catering vocational trainings for construction workers will truly enhance their expertise in the field. As a fact, an organization named CHF International and Haytrac has successfully trained eighty two heavy machine operators through their KATA program “who are now helping in clearing roads and removing debris in Port-au-Prince” (CHF International, 2010). Indeed, rebuilding Haiti’s transportation system is a great challenge that calls for an international support. The effectiveness of the established programs for rehabilitation will solely and strictly depend on the zealous coordination between the organizations behind the programs, the government of Haiti and the Haiti’s citizens.

ReferencesCHF International. (2010). CHF-trained heavy machine operators helping to rebuild Haiti. Retrieved from http://www.chfinternational.org/node/33968Hall, C. (2010, January 12). 7.0 Magnitude earthquake hits Haiti – Tsunami warning issued. Mediaite, LLC. Retrieved from http://www.mediaite.com/online /7-0-magnitude-earthquake-hits-haiti-tsunami-warning-issued/Mosley, D. (2010, February 1). CG helping rebuild Haitis ports. In Military.com. Retrieved from http://m.military.com/news/articlerss/coast-guard-news/cg- helping-rebuild-haitis-ports.xml/6