From the L. A. Times:
A U.S. group provides hands-on training to 10 top government engineers, who will teach Haitian inspectors how to determine whether a property is safe to live in. (click title to entry - thank you)
The tent cities have been a far safer place for the displaced people of Haiti. But, hurricane season may be a light season or it may hold surprises. The people of Haiti can't be allowed 'a chance' of having 'fate' swing their way this year. They need the protection of adequate shelter on high ground when this season arrives.
In the past, the Haitian people were primarily abandoned to how best to protect from these monster storms. What needs to occur along with safe and higher elevation buildings is an understanding about emergency procedures to assure them a 'safe haven.'
Literally, the best way to build infrastructure in Haiti is to start with shelters that remove them from danger when high wind and tidal surges reach their small homeland.
It is time for Haiti to take its place among the nations of Earth that understand how emergency training of their population is vital to survival. As the reconstruction of Haiti takes place and people repopulate homes instead of tents, there needs to be a 'guide to living on a small tropical island' that goes along with their new living arrangements.
Do they understand what 'emergency food and water' supplies are? Do they know first aid? Do they understand 'sea level' and 'tidal surge?' Do they comprehend how wind is as much a danger as water? Do they understand how they can help themselves when disaster strikes and there is no infrastructure to rescue them? It is necessary not only to rescue Haiti from itself, but, instruct them on how to take care of themselves. The Haitians are not self reliant and that is as much a disastrous condition as the disasters themselves.
