SJS8- "Rebuild Haiti, Not Just Its Capital"

Source:
Maguire, Robert. "Rebuild Haiti, Not Just Its Capital." Current History 110.733  
    (2011): 81-82. Print. 

Author Credentials:
Robert Maguire is often classified as an expert in numerous areas including Haitian development and poverty and Caribbean populations. He earned a PhD in Geography from McGill University, an M.A. in Latin American Studies from the University of Florida, and a B.A. in Social Studies Secondary Education from Trenton State College. In 2002, he served as Haiti Specialist in the State Department's Bureau of Western Hemispheric Affairs, making him exceedingly qualified to discuss topics relating to Haiti's government and population.

Summary:
On January 12th, 2010 a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti's capital and the areas surrounding it. The earthquake left approximately 7.8 billion dollars of economic damage, and initiated president Bill Clinton to underscore an important point that the whole country of Haiti must be aided, not just one part of it. Haiti's infrastructure is centered in the capital, Port-au-Prince, causing there to be large amounts of people from smaller secondary cities in Haiti moving to the capital every year. Because of this, the capital city is becoming increasingly dilapidated. The issue of improving Haiti was of great importance even before the 2011 earthquake. The Haitian government developed a post-earthquake plan that received large sums of money from donors, but it is still clear that there will be large imbalances in Haiti's development. Many who survived the earthquake left the capital city and fled to their families in Haitian villages. This put even more emphasis on the imbalance. Haitian Prime Minister Jean-Max Bellerive attempted to obtain humanitarian relief help, but by doing this in neighboring areas to the capital "Republic" there were less large financial human resource organizations because the aid was no longer centered in the capital. As predicted, many who fled the capital ended up returning. The devastating cholera outbreak of 2010 brought attention to an inequality in disease-prevention efforts as well. In order to improve all of Haiti, the Haitian government must take the lead and extend Haiti's recovery beyond Port-au-Prince.

Analysis:
The author was very efficient in not showing any clear bias or favoring Port-au-Prince over the rest of Haiti, or favoring the Haitian government over the humanitarian help organizations. His background is extensive in Caribbean studies, making all of his statements well supported with facts and figures. The only instances that the author would insert his opinion was when he would state what he believed would be the effect of specific actions taken by the Haitian government. Even with these predictions, there would be facts to support his declarations.