Haitians deserve a much better future

Haiti was like hell in the past two weeks after a devastating earthquake. Collapsed buildings, including the Presidential Palace and government ministry mansions, were strewn about the downtown area. An estimated 110,000 to 200,000 people lost their lives and many bodies are still buried under rubble. Stench from the dead permeates the center of the city.

The more than 300,000 people who have found temporary shelters in public parks are short of food, water and medicine, as noon temperature are soaring daily to 40 C. Every Haitian I met has either lost a home, their loved ones, or both. Poverty is everywhere in Haiti. Panic and despair are on almost everyone's face.

Life is extremely hard and will remain so as the recovery and rebuilding from the catastrophe will be a prolonged process. However, what has been amazing in the last few days is the gradual restoration of order in the streets. People are getting more food and water due to international humanitarian relief efforts. More vendors have emerged on sidewalks. It is now safe to walk in the street carrying a basket of bread or a huge box of bottled water.