dragonfly954

Haven't read all the comments but have concerns that many of the responses are old fashion responses that assumes skills, money, resources and governance that are not present for everyone/everywhere in Haiti. Remember earthquakes - unreinforced concrete structures are vulnerable. Remember hurricanes - wood structures don't do well nor do many steel structures without a strong foundation to hold them down. Remember Haiti has few trees and little natural resources so everything must be imported. Remember the government is very weak and building codes are important (at least some standards) for an area prone to earthquakes and hurricanes.

In this age where we need to be more proactive in building sustainable communities, Haiti offers the opportunity to do a better job at leaving the community in better shape, economically, environmentally and socially that we found it. How about recycling all the concrete? How about recycling all the steel? The new structures need to fit the culture. It is humid and hot there - steel shipping containers don't ventilate well and have no insulation. Mechanical cooling and ventilation is expense where all power must be from imported fuels. While a reach during a disaster at the beginning, solar panels seems like a good idea for a country with sun but no fuels. Few of the homes were free standing, American-style, consumptive houses. The solution, both for transportation and economics lays in attached dwellings.

Yes, the solutions need to address the immediate concern of getting a roof over their heads, but the solutions also need to address sustainability for the long run. Haiti needs economic sustainability. Haiti needs environmental sustainability. And they don't need American-style suburbs, even if the houses are small and sound. They need a wholistic solution - not just a new roof.