Columbia International Affairs Online: Policy Briefs

CIAO DATE: 07/2010

Haiti: A Forward Look

Robert M. Perito

June 2010

United States Institute of Peace

Abstract

Five months after Haiti’s January 12th earthquake, the situation on the ground 􀁴􀀁 remains critical. With the arrival of hurricane season, the failure to provide adequate shelter and instill hope for a better future threatens stability. 􀁴􀀁 Donor pledges of more than $5 billion for assistance have not translated into visible progress, fueling discontent and raising growing concern among Haitians about their government’s e!ectiveness. 􀁴􀀁 Haiti’s government has tried to exert leadership in recovery operations despite the destruction of government buildings, the death of nearly 25 percent of the civil service personnel and the massive dislocations caused by the earthquake. 􀁴􀀁 The Haitian government has also begun preparations for presidential and parliamentary elections in November 2010. The combination of faltering recovery at a time of national elections could provoke unrest.