Looking back at the earthquake and forward to next time

Today in Conference the one of the Haitian physicians did an excellent presentation on Disaster Response related to the earthquake in 2010. He noted the need for planning should another such disaster occur and stated that he was working on a plan for HAS. There was a spirited discussion afterward with many good comments made. Only one set of comments was not translated into English; these involved frequent use of the word blan (foreigner). Without being able to understand the specifics, I could feel the frustration that was created by the overwhelming outside response to the quake, likely too often without Haitian input. I believe that this frustration is fully justified. If you are interested in learning more, read "The Big Truck that Went By: How the World Came to Save Haiti and Left Behind a Disaster." (That title may not be exactly right but google will find it.) Don't come to Haiti until you have read it.