Exploitation by Peacekeepers - No Longer Business as Usual

  • Posted on: 27 December 2007
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Previously, we have expressed our dissapointment in MINUSTAH after 108 Sri Lankan peacekeepers were accused of sexual misconduct, or more specifically, paying minors for sex.  We do not believe this was limited to one brigade and were concerned that there would be few consequences for these violations.

International Crisis Group: Build Peace by Engaging the Diaspora

  • Posted on: 21 December 2007
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

The International Crisis Group, an NGO with expertise on preventing and responding to emergencies, has released a report entitled "Peacebuilding Haiti: Including Haitians from Abroad" The report argues that the Haitian government needs to implement a long term disaspora policy with the support of the international community.  With the Diaspora being over three million strong and possessing skills, connections, and resources that would be useful in the reconstruction of the country, we could not agree more.  Seeting aside one day a year for the Diaspora is not enough - we need ongoing engagement.

Solidarity or Slavery? Finding Solutions for Restaveks (Denise Green)

  • Posted on: 17 December 2007
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

We should be discussing the Restavek situation in Haiti.  It is neither new or a simple issue.  A restavek (comes from the phrase 'to stay with') is a child who is sent from one family to live with another family.  Considering Haiti's history as  the only people to lead a successful slave rebellion for independence, discussing restaveks can be a sensitive issue.  However, I believe that we must.  

A Report Card for Haiti and the World: UNICEF 2007 Progress for Children Report

  • Posted on: 11 December 2007
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

I would argue that the measurement of progress in a country is not the quantity of money a person has, not the ammount of technology possessed, but rather the ability of that country to meet the needs of its children.  The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has just released a report which suggests we have a long way to go, for Haiti and the world.

Project Medishare Blog - Health Care on the Central Plateau

  • Posted on: 9 December 2007
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

We frequently write about the innovative work that Project Medishare and its partners began in Thomonde and have expanded into ineighboring provinces.  Recently, they remodelled their website and added a very nice blog and its definitely worth a look if you are interested in Haiti's Central Plateau and public health.

Lymphatic What?? Haiti and a Neglected Disease

  • Posted on: 8 December 2007
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and TB are the unholy Trinity of illness in the developing world.  But there are a number of less widely known diseases, which while not fatal, cause a great deal of sickness, suffering, and disability.   One of them is Lymphatic Filariasis, also known as Elephantiasis.   But what is it?  LF is a disease that is transmitted by mosquitoes that bite infected humans and pick up microfilariae – thread like parasitic worms.  Below is a picture.

 

 

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