The humanitarian response to the Haiti earthquake was one of the most challenging in recent history. Leadership by UN agencies was often hampered by fear to lose reputation in an impossible situation, trauma due to the death of 100 staff under the collapsed building of the UN mission as well as meddling by neighbouring countries.
Things were made worse after the 2010 cholera outbkreak, which killed thousands of Haitians. Peacekeepers were widely believed to be at the origin of the outbreak.
During the first months of the emergency humanitarians lived a secluded existence, many housed at UN facilities or at cruise ships brought on purpose. In my experience, however, Port au Prince was basically safe and Haitians, while reeling from the catastrophe, were overwhelmingly welcoming of expatriates.
This Vudu priest was kind enough to show us his temple in Croix-des-Bouquets.
