by Gloria Edmonson Nelson

Created on: January 23, 2010   Last Updated: January 25, 2010

Poor nations suffer the most from natural disasters for so many reasons; first of all, it is difficult for people who want to help to fly into its airport.  With such a small airport and outdated and shortage of equipment, etc., everything is delayed because there are only so many flights that can enter each day. Even those who want to go, for example, the doctors and nurses who are on the waiting list, cannot enter the area.

Food and water cannot be brought in as it should. In fact, one reporter said rice was being dropped from the sky probably by helicopter and/or planes. Instead of food banks and water areas being set up, many people have to die who would not if they were in the United States or another modern area. When rice is dropped, then the people rush to grab it to eat and/or sell. In fact, In Port-au-Prince following the earthquake, several men were shot who were allegedly fighting over rice. One of these men was killed after being shot in the back several times. According to CNN, he was accused of stealing rice; however, his family disputes this allegation. We will never know what really happened; however, we do know that the victim was hungry and thirsty and through destitution, might have been fighting over rice that was dropped.

Poor nations cause archaic means of assisting them because their resources are either unavailable or outdated. Because Haiti, in this case, needs to be totally rebuilt, it is very difficult to assist them because organizations and individuals are helpless as to where to even begin. There have been organizations in that area for years as well as individuals; however, because Haiti has been so poor since its inception (because of their own corrupt government and the few elite individuals in charge), its residents have never been able to live as they should. Because the Haitians have lived this way for years; they have developed surviving techniques. For example, many of them moved to the mountains years ago because they were displeased with the government. Some have attempted to escape to America; but were turned around, and some were drowned during their escape.

Other problems in poor countries are: poor educational systems which creates illiterary.. If you are "ignorant," you are limited, and it is almost impossible to get out of ones situations. The medical facilities are also not up-to-par. When people are not in good health because they are not under the doctor's care, eating properly, taking vitamins, etc.; it is impossible to survive after any catastrophic incident. Poor health caused many of the residents to die.

Poorly-constructed houses and apartments will not stand during an earthquake or storm. So most of the residences, capitol, churches, and even the shopping mall collapsed. Its Archbishop was killed, and he might have lived had the church been properly constructed. Many of the United Nations personnel died immediately because of dilapidated buildings. Some of these might have withstood in another country that was not so poor. But, Haiti is the poorest in the Western Hemisphere, and it will take years to rebuild - if this is possible.  Although the world is sending money and resources, if it is not properly handled, put into the right hands, with its own people being involved in the rebuilding (which provides jobs); it is possible that its recovery might be impossible. because of its extreme poverty.

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