Haiti - is it any better?

Well, the short answer is: no.

Last week, I attended a conference in San Juan, PR, on the topic of investment in haiti. One of the key speakers was former U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), spokesman for the Clinton Foundation.

It has been nearly a year and half since Haiti was devastated by an earthquake, but Meek said local companies are still in time to do business in Haiti because the recovery project, described as “massive,” is only now just getting under way and is expected to last 10 to 20 years.

“The boat has not left, it hasn’t even been launched yet in Haiti,” Meek said.

I have personal friends and business contacts in Haiti, who agree. With the caveat that it won't be easy. Still, having been there, I can tell you that the need is significant. People are still living in "tent cities" - even that term glorifies the conditions in which many are living.

As we enter the 2011 Hurricane Season, let's hope that Haiti's new government will get agressive in finding ways to protect the lives of the displaced. Let's hope that the money donated - in the billions of dollars - will finally start to flow towards the good of the country.