PROBABLY one of the most impacting and sobering news for newly-elected President, Jovenel Moise, on his inauguration is the affirmation that the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) stands in solidarity with Haiti. Without belabouring the political challenges that faced the country’s 58th president, Haiti needs all the solidarity it can get.A country whose tragic history of slavery had seen a 12-year sustained revolution that brought about their independence in 1804, became a source and force of inspiration for the oppressed and enslaved around the world. Emancipation came to the British Commonwealth in 1838 and the United States in 1865.

Haiti came to represent the light at the end of the tunnel, the inspiration to keep fighting against systems of oppression, and the dream for liberation. That the country fell on hard times is in significant part due to the excesses of earlier political leadership none can deny. At the same time this history is also tainted with a people having to pay France millions of franc yearly for their freedom. The above being said, while the past is prologue and could serve as lessons for Haitians as it relates to the quality of governance they want to have, it cannot be ignored, the natural disasters within this decade that have wreaked havoc on this famed island and its people.

The 2010 earthquake threw Haiti back significantly, and just as the society was getting on its feet it was knocked down again in 2016. Outside of being in what is considered the Hurricane Zone, the country is reeling from the crude exploitation of its natural resources and holds the unenviable position as the world’s most deforested land. No country has infinite resources and management of its finite resources requires prudency. In the case of Haiti its inherent natural resources, from where its wealth and citizens’ growth and development are hinged, depletion makes the situation difficult for current and future generations. Friendly nations have taken a humanitarian position in making contributions toward alleviating the socio-economic plight in the short and medium term.

As a member of CARICOM, it would help if Haiti knows it can benefit through partnership efforts that can sustain it and its people in the long term. When President David Granger, in his speech at the inauguration event, made known that the most important thing to CARICOM is to help in the revival of the Haitian economy; it indicates recognition that the economy is in shambles and Haiti needs CARICOM’s helping hand. The recognition that Haiti has a big market and where its population is bigger than all the remaining countries in CARICOM combined, putting together a strategic approach may be required. Guyana, under the leadership of President Granger, is positioned as a model country in creating new pathways to development through a Green Economy. Haiti’s current crisis and where it needs support that recognition could not have come from a better leader than the President.

Where undoubtedly a massive reforestation programme would help Haiti, as Guyana pursues its programme of sustaining our pristine forests there can be transfer of technology and skills to aid needed efforts at reforestation. The clear and present danger to the environment as posed by climate change and where alternative sources of energy are being pursued to counter global warming, Haiti can benefit from the experiences of CARICOM countries that have embarked on such projects.

Food security is a major threat to the holistic security of the Caribbean Region. Billions of US dollars diverted yearly on food importation, apart from its substandard nature scarce foreign exchange could be diverted for more crucial issues, and more importantly the saying that those who feed you control you is still applicable.

Exploring indigenous arrangements to assist Haiti in feeding itself can also be to the benefit of member-states. Guyana, Belize, and Suriname have vast landmass which could be made available to produce food for the region. This can be done by using mechanism within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy to create opportunities where land could be made available to Haitians to produce food. Such a programme can be developed and facilitated by the United Nations and even friendly Western countries. As President Granger rightly said, the most important thing is to help the Haitian economy and CARICOM is in solidarity with this. Where there is the will the way can be found.