By Eliz Dowdy

Port-de-Paix was formerly a large exporter of bananas and coffee; it is also the chief town of an arrondissment of the same name. The arrondissment consists of four communes: Port-de-Paix, Bassin Bleu, Chansolme and Tortuga Island.

Mayor Salvador was in the United States seeking assistance for his area. The supplies sent to Port-au- Prince are not reaching the outlying areas. Port-de-Paix is normally home to 250,000, but has surged to at least 300,000 residents as refugees flee the capital city area. Many have family in the area and come to stay with them; some were originally from the Port-de-Paix area and returned home after the devastation in January. However, this has put a strain on the area’s economy, according to the mayor. He stated that he had met with some American mayors during his visit to explain what is going on and what can be done. He said that after the earthquake, located 700 miles away, the children in orphanages need help; they are not in school, the roads are bad and the airport is inoperable.

The mayor has accomplished many improvements in Port-de-Paix during his tenure in office: Completed cleanup of town and opened space for new safe construction; built new flea markets to move some merchants from the streets to provide safety to the drivers; established new relations between the city of Port-de-Paix and some other cities in the Caribbean, U.S, and the world, and built a new public high school in the city. He would like companies to provide jobs in the area so his people can stay home. If the opportunities existed the people could stay home.

He was seeking to form an international project for the people coming to Port-de-Paix to ensure that he would be able to assist those in need. Any assistance given would be appreciated, he stated.

Haitian journalists who spoke under the blanket of anonymity reported that food sent to the capital city via the organizations operating there is rotting, maggot-infested, and being dumped in the ocean. Organizations have raised billions of aid funds, but the people who are most in need are still waiting and many are perishing on the high seas as they attempt to come to America in small boats. They are not allowed to photograph what is happening. A doctor stated the hospital in the area is without supplies.

The Precinct Reporter spoke to Michael Levine, chief of staff for Congresswoman Maxine Waters' Washington office, knowing her long-time concern and visits to the country after the devastation. He stated that she had visited some of the outlying areas, and this was a concern of hers also. Additionally, she has met with the President of Haiti. Congress passed the debt relief bill for Haiti, legislation that was carried by Waters. She has worked relentlessly to alleviate the repayment of millions of dollars to the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other financial institutions that eat up needed funds to build infrastructure. There is no earthquake safety training for the people, they just run outside when the tremors begin.

The mayor is currently back in the United States for a few days; he speaks primarily French and we communicated through Lou Arne, owner of Radio Balade in Port-de-Paix.

When the Kansas Avenue Seventh Day Adventist Church in Riverside and the Riverside Medical Supply Inc. were organizing Haitian relief last month, I forwarded their information to my contact for Mayor Salvador, Cheri Barnette, daughter of Harlem basketball great Charlie Barnette. She was able to contact them and request that supplies be sent to Port-de-Paix. According to the group’s spokesperson, they will ship the supplies via ship and be waiting at the harbor when the ship arrives to distribute them to the neediest people. They are also looking for volunteers to make the trip with them; they may contact Nyron McLean at (714)720-9354.

Individuals desirous of in-country information may contact Dr. Constantino Donatien; he operates twelve schools in Port-de-Paix. Many of the children there are orphans due to the earthquake. His telephone number is 954-573-2167.