ITNAC: Aid containers for Haiti this week

Hector-Joseph was responding to an article in the Trinidad Guardian yesterday with the headline “Corrupt officials, workers ‘block’ ITNAC’s Haiti relief: Containers stuck on port”.

“ITNAC volunteer Deborah Dowlath spoke to a Guardian reporter (Friday) who asked about the containers of relief items shipped to hurricane-devastated Haiti. While Dowlath never explicitly spoke about corruption, her comments about her uncertainty over different clearance costs could be interpreted as suggesting corruption.

ITNAC would like to immediately clarify this miscommunication as we do not want citizens to think the aid is not reaching those in need and be deterred from donating to the cause,” she said.

Hector-Joseph explained that in Haiti there is no “normal fee” as there is in Trinidad and the broker in Haiti determines his fee.

“We therefore negotiated for the best fee based on the fact that these are relief goods and not for commercial use. Being responsible, we are waiting as the relief status of the goods is being assessed,” she added.

She stressed that ITNAC has “always enjoyed a good working relationship with all Haitian government agencies and officials and we are very appreciative our relationship with Guardian media in providing relief efforts to Haiti”.

She continued: “We thank everyone for their overwhelming support and we will share updates of our progress in Haiti via videos and photos on our Facebook page.” After Haiti was hit by Hurricane Matthew on October 17, ITNAC dispatched three containers of supplies including food, clothing, medical supplies and toiletries. Hector-Joseph explained that the containers have remained on the port because they have to be checked.

“They are more stringent with ascertaining that contents are indeed for relief purposes.

There is a process and we are almost to the end,” she explained.

Hector-Joseph reported the broker informed ITNAC that the containers would be coming in early this week. She also reported that a fourth container arrived in Haiti about Thursday last week and a fifth will be sailing this Friday.

Last week, Haiti interim President Jocelerme Privert reported the country is facing a major food crisis and aid from the international community is falling short. He reported that 2.1 million people were affected by the hurricane and a large portion of the country was devastated by high winds. The Haitian government estimates 1.5 million people need immediate assistance, including more than 140,000 people who are living in temporary shelters.

Hector-Joseph reported that ITNAC currently has a five member team in Haiti and on the ground “the need is great”.

“We will update people and keep them posted . We see it as a sacred trust . The delay has been because we are seeking to get the containers out at the lower fees. It is the best use of donor funds,” she added.

Donations to the ITNAC Haiti relief efforts can be made at First Citizens Bank 1660410 or Republic Bank 510009446802.

For more information email itnac.

missions@gmail.com.