I heard a Red Cross representative staff member from the Dominican Republic being interviewed, and I am repeating his words.
The custom department in Port au Prince wants a small fortune to allow them to retrieve the heavy duty equipments that are so desperately needed to move the debris, and the dead bodies buried in them. The Dominican based Red Cross Agency was made an offer from some Haitian officials, and refused it. They were told to buy all their medecines, and supplies from the officials' cronies in Haiti.
They are now being punished, and watched other organizations unloading their cargos for "free" days or nights without any trouble.
The Dominican Red Cross will return home soon, because they are unable to perform their duties without the proper tools.
I do not get it, and probably never will about Haitian politics.
I was taught that you must never bite the hands that feed you, so why are donations being taxed by our custom department.
I heard horror stories before about custom in Haiti, but this is beyond unacceptable.
We now look ridiculous to the rest of the world, and seem uncivilized to say the least.
The Haitian government is corrupt so it wouldn't surprise me if what the red cross rep is saying is true. However, there are 2 sides to a story. I... read more >
Rose, 10-Mar-10 8:12 am
President Rene Preval is as corrupt as they come. And, the senseless death ("STUPID DEATH") of Haitian earthquake victims whom were already rescued... read more >
Dina Michel-wiggins, 10-Mar-10 9:09 am
Haitian Police must solve such a problem read more >
Antonio, 10-Mar-10 10:10 am
The status quo is still alive and well in Haiti. It is a shame but I would not expect anything better from the custom department in Haiti. The... read more >
Rudy Etienne, 10-Mar-10 10:23 am
My mom says that the government are taxing because in order for government officials to get paid that is what is paying them the taxes. read more >
Chenka, 10-Mar-10 11:33 am
"The Haitian Police", and who is going to police them. Would you put a steak in front of a hungry dog? OU PA METTE CHATTE VEILLE BEURRE. read more >
The Haitian Custom Department should give a 6 months free, because we had a major earthquake two months ago. The custom department can then start... read more >
Josy, 11-Mar-10 3:14 am
HAITIAN SON NATION KI INGRAT AMPIL ET SE SAK FE NOU DEYE NET COTE NOU YE LA.SI NOU PA CHANGE NOU PAP JAM RIVE COTE NOU DOUE YE AN. read more >
Youseline Pierre Simon, 12-Mar-10 2:21 am
The real problem is that we have no leader (s) with BALLS. All we have is corrupters, savages, selfish,thieves and criminals in the Haitian... read more >