Quick Facts and Tips: Haiti and Cultural Implications

Haiti, a nation of 9 million people, is the oldest democracy and the poorest country in the Western hemisphere. Approximately 80% of Haiti’s population lives in poverty, subsisting on less than $2 a day. The population speaks Haitian-Creole and the literacy rate within the country has been estimated to be about 55%. Haiti was struck in 2005 and 2008 by multiple hurricanes which displaced hundreds of thousands of people. Even before the earthquake, less than half the people had access to clean drinking water, and malnutrition was prevalent. In addition, natural disasters typically have the greatest impact on those with the least financial resources. They have fewer resources to prevent the problems from occurring (that is, to build hurricane or earthquake resistant buildings) or to deal with tragedy after it has occurred. Current estimates place the death toll near 200,000, with 3 million people likely to need international aid for the foreseeable future. These numbers will continue to change over the coming weeks.

The people of Haiti and those of Haitian descent living within the United States are proud, resilient, and hard working. Typically, Haitians can be a reserved people, especially with strangers; they may appear not to express emotion during the crisis, even if they have suffered a great loss (although the personal grieving process can be quite emotional). As in many cultures, males tend to keep their feelings to themselves, whereas females may express themselves more. In some instances, women may erupt in uncontrollable crying when dealing with the death of a loved one and this should not be seen as unusual. Generally, Haitians will not speak unless prompted. Also Haitians will not necessarily seek out support but will accept it if offered. In some parts of the Haitian community, there is a stigma associated with seeking psychological help. In a crisis it is not unusual for children’s emotional needs to be neglected because of the necessity of adults to take care of other competing and more pressing concerns.