The rains are coming early this year. There have already been several heavy downpours, causing fear and panic among the people and making even more desperate the need for stable housing. An estimated 600,000 people still do not have "tents" (more than just cotton sheets). The rains have an adverse effect on the amputees as their injuries make it difficult for them to avoid the rains or move quickly. If it rains hard there is no place for the rain water to go - it stagnates, becoming a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Once it starts raining, belongings will not have a chance to dry out and mold will develop. The rains also cause despair and anger among the refugees.
On Monday a school collapsed in Cap Haitian after a heavy rain with high winds. Four children were killed. (Le Nouvelliste) The Haitian government would like to have more schools permanently open by March, but many children are still traumatized by the earthquake. They are afraid to be away from their parents or to be under any kind of ceiling. Schools outside of Port au Prince have reopened but many children are not attending.
The Port au Prince airport will recommence commercial flights this coming Friday. Since the terminal was severely damaged in the earthquake, they will only be operating from a portion of the terminal. There are approximately 1,000 planes still on a waiting list to land with donated aid.
Several countries have offered to rebuild the government buildings. France, Canada, Brazil and Chile have all presented plans for reconstruction in Port au Prince with an average cost of $12 million US to get things started. The President and his Cabinet are currently working out of the airport police station. (Haiti United Press).
President Preval estimates that it will take 1000 trucks working every day for 1000 days - just to remove all the rubble - three years. (Press Network)
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