Each year, more than half a million women across the world die while giving birth, most of them from developing countries. In Haiti, the situation is desperate, as violence, political chaos and insufficient international aid have hampered even the most basic health care.
Haiti is a tiny island country in the Caribbean and the poorest in the Western hemisphere where 54 percent of the population lives on less than $1 a day (U.S.) and 78 percent manages on less than $2 a day.
Worldfocus correspondent Benno Schmidt and producer Ara Ayer visited Haiti in the winter of 2009 to report on the extreme poverty, distrust of the government and the environmental effects of four tropical storms that mowed across Haiti last year. Amid the desolate coastal wastelands and decaying infrastructure all around them, they also stumbled upon raucous street celebrations and rowdy cockfighting matches.
They report on the generations of Haitians who eat mud cookies, which hold little nutritional value, to supplement their meager diets. Months after the storms have passed, some Haitians are trying to dig their homes out of 10 to 15 feet of mud. Worldfocus explores how long-gone storms continue to interfere with day-to-day life.
"Haiti's Poor" is a collection of signature videos, extended interviews, blogger perspectives, reporter observations from the field and web original videos that capture the many sides of the island.
Haiti's Poor
Video
August 4, 2009
Expectant mothers in Haiti cope with chaotic conditions
Peter Eisner (blog)
July 30, 2009
U.S. must help break Haiti’s cycle of misery
The need in Haiti -- where suffering goes along chronically, untreated and ignored -- requires new thinking and global commitment to change, writes Worldfocus blogger Peter Eisner. The U.S. must step up to the plate.
Perspectives
June 25, 2009
Haitians in Dominican Republic face racism, discrimination
Up to one million people of Haitian origin currently live in the Dominican Republic, and many are subjected to discrimination and violence, with their Dominican-born children denied citizenship. A Worldfocus contributing blogger describes the escalating human rights concerns.
Sights & Sounds (video)
February 20, 2009
Raucous rallies contrast coastal wastelands in Haiti
Worldfocus correspondent Benno Schmidt saw many sides of the island nation, including raucous street celebrations and desolate coastal wastelands. Two videos capture the contrasting "sights and sounds" of Haiti.
Signature Video
February 19, 2009
Dirt poor Haitians eat cookies made of mud
The cookies -- made of dirt, butter and salt -- hold little nutritional value, but manage to keep Haiti's poor alive. The recipe has been passed down through generations of Haitians.
Web Original Video
February 19, 2009
Betting on cockfights for fast money in Haitian slum
Worldfocus correspondent Benno Schmidt stumbles upon one of several cockfighting matches held every Sunday in the slums of the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince.
Extended Interview
February 19, 2009
Haiti’s government must rebuild trust to repair nation
Haitian Prime Minister Michèle Pierre-Louis took office in September, succeeding a former prime minister who was ousted amid riots. Pierre-Louis discusses how she and the rest of the government can work to overcome Haitians' distrust.
Web Original Video
February 18, 2009
Hurricane mudslides bury Haitian towns
Months after the storms have passed, some Haitians are trying to dig their homes out of 10 to 15 feet of mud. Worldfocus explores how long-gone storms continue to interfere with day-to-day life.
Signature Video
February 18, 2009
Haitians destroy environment in struggle to survive
Haiti is a tiny island country in the Caribbean and the poorest in the Western hemisphere. In their struggle to survive, Haitians are destroying the very elements of their environment that sustain them.
Blogwatch
November 12, 2008
Hurricanes raze Haitian infrastructure; second school falls
A school partially collapsed in Haiti today, the second in a week. After suffering four hurricanes in the space of a month, Haitian infrastructure is in decay.
