As food prices soar, impoverished Haitians are resorting to eating cookies made of mud.
Made from dirt, salt and vegetable shortening, the cookies – which are regularly used by pregnant women and children as an antacid and source of calcium – have become a regular meal for Haitians desperate to satisfy hunger.
In Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere, 80 percent of the population lives on less than $2 a day. The mud cookies sell for around five cents each, compared to 60 cents for two cups of rice.
What is the U.S. doing to help? Rep. William Thomas [R-CA] introduced the Haitian Hemispheric Opportunity through Partnership Encouragement (HOPE) Act of 2006 as part of the tax-and-trade bill. The bill never became law. Fortunately, that may have been a good thing. The Haiti Progres stated that the bill failed to imposes labor standards instead imposing patronizing, and burdensome conditions on the Haitian people:
Although the undersigned Haitian activists welcomes the US bipartisan desire to assist Haiti with job creation that is evidenced by the passage of the legislation, we continue to denounce the legislation’s neoliberal conditions that enrich only the few while further impoverishing the many; its failure to ensure labor standards, workers’ rights, enforcement and employer accountability.
According to Dan Beeton, International Communications Coordinator for the Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) in Washington D.C.:
“Throughout Haiti’s history, the U.S. has usually been a bad neighbor, invading and occupying the country several times, propping up dictators, and at times blocking economic assistance to the country. A number of economically damaging policy prescriptions have originated in Washington as well, including privatization of state industries and the promotion of export processing zones that hamper the development of Haitian industry and generate little revenue…Considering the history of the U.S.’ relationship with Haiti, Americans owe it to the Haitian people to support their right to organize independent trade unions and advocate for policies that will foster real and lasting economic development.”
For ways you can help Haiti, visit the Lambi Fund of Haiti.
wow this is something that blew me away
This is awful. I’m saddened to hear yet another predominantly Black country cannot come together and solve it’s own problems. Even though America imposed alot of their policies on them, I wish we wouldn’t have to rely so much on a white country for humanitarian aid.
That’s sad. These type of things really majes me appriciate what God has blessed me with. I remember when I was little I used to make mud pies and leave them out to dry, but never did I have to eat one to survive.
I cannot believe this… and here we are throwing away leftover food and stuff…
This world is full of ignorance and this leads to people having to suffer like this!!!.. I’m ashamed of ignorant people thinking this will pass when it’s already 2008… How long will this go on??… Why do others have to continue livin’ lyk this!!!!! We are living in a world full of curse!!!!!…
Actor Danny Glover has been a strong advocate for Haiti for several years…This is terrible and shouldn’t be happening especially in a country that is close to a nation where the majority of its inhabitants are overweight. Toussant L’evoture (spelling?) is probably spinning in his grave.
Seigneur JESUS, aide ce peuple.
They should at least be able to get some rice and plumpy nut for the babies.Oprah is doing a lot for Africa so now lets do something for Haiti.
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The second quote said it best: It’s very difficult to achieve lasting progress when you have a “neighbor” kicking you at every turn. The first independent black nation, Haiti used to be one of the richest islands in the Antilles, Now stripped of it’s natural resources and infiltrated with crooked leaders and criminals propped by the US government that guarantee misery and a rich get richer, poor get poorer model of success. Did you know cruise ships come into Haiti on privatized land? Do you know how many foreigners live in Haiti as a hot long-term vacation spot? Do you know how the crooks who terrorize and kidnap the people get their guns? Look it up. This country has been suffering for it’s boldness, pride and independence ever since 1804. This is a complex situation with no easy solutions but it boils down to much more than “just get it together and pull yourself up by the bootstraps people”.
@6
Huh, pour tout dire, le seigneur est présent mais je pense, que c’est à nous de les aider avant tout!
Mais merde, on vit en 2008? et ils mangent de la bou!
@7 s’il te plait, mets un peu l’afrique de côté.
@10 c’était une façon de parler et surtout de souligner la gravité de la situation. Je suis tout à fait daccord avec toi sur le fait que c’est à eux de prendre leur destin en main(les politiques surtout), en espérant que la diaspora haitienne devra se mobiliser pour venir en aide à leurs concitoyens
@12 What are you saying? can you please translate into english.
all i can saw is wow
# 13 ….heres a translation for you
From #11…….” @ #6 Huh, pour tout dire, le seigneur est présent mais je pense, que c’est à nous de les aider avant tout!
Mais merde, on vit en 2008? et ils mangent de la bou!”
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@ #6 Huh, to put it briefly, the lord is present but I think, that it belongs to us to help them first of all!
But shit, they saw in 2008? and they eat of the bou!……
From # 12……..”@7 s’il te plait, mets un peu l’afrique de côté.
@10 c’était une façon de parler et surtout de souligner la gravité de la situation. Je suis tout à fait daccord avec toi sur le fait que c’est à eux de prendre leur destin en main(les politiques surtout), en espérant que la diaspora haitienne devra se mobiliser pour venir en aide à leurs concitoyens”
———————————————————————————————————————-
@7 please, put aside the Africa a bit.
@10 it a manner was to speak and especially to underline the seriousness of situation. I am wholly daccord with you on the fact that it belongs to them to take their destiny in hand (policies especially), by hoping that the haitienne diaspora will have to rally to help their fellow-countrymen
And we take advantage of leftover food we have everyday. Some of the food that we through away, so of the starving people would FIGHT over it.
When I read this yesterday I thought how blessed we are. People are eating dirt DIRT I just feel so bad the U.S. needs to help.
Lod have mercy on the country of Haiti!
omg this is sooo terrible! i feel so sad reading this
Sad. We waste so much food here in America while Haitians eat dirt. Lord help us.
And we are so close to them!
OMG. This is so shocking to me. The money that is being WASTED to blow up thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians could be used to buy these people TONS of nutritious food. I am so shocked. I throw away SO MUCH excess food because my children say ‘we don’t like it ma’. NOT ANYMORE. Let’s all appreciate what we have and show this by being less wasteful and thankful to God for providing us even with food to eat.
(its interesting how we mock people who have to use food stamps. We should be grateful to having a gov’t who provide us with food)
I never knew just how terrible the people of Haiti had been done all these years until I read Krik Krak by Edwidge Danticat. I also the a movie called “The Comediennes” which chronicled the rule of Papa Doc Duvalier. These people have survived the worst atrocities by the Ton Ton Macoutes and now they have to deal with this. The UN should step in NOW.
awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww. im part haitain!!!! ii PRAY for them =/
Lawd how sad for them and sad for us as a country to not assist, we can spend millions of dollars on a war that we dont have any business in but we cant help our neighbors in a time of need…Im in florida ..and to think of the instensive rescources they provide to cubans and not give the same to haitians is sad and pathetic but yet it doesnt get enough media attention at all, do you know if your cuban and you touch florida land you get in with goverment aide and assitance…But if your haitian you get turned back, with nothing, We have to get out side of ourselves and actually think what will america be like if we had to resort to that eating dirt cookies as our only option…Seems distant…but it too can very well be a reality…
only the real true inner peace comes in the form of helping others..matieral wealth is only temporary…
found this about charity online…
but the Bible speaks of charity to point us to a specific kind of love. Charity is the love toward others that suffers long with them and is kind (1Corinthians 13:4), that does not behave unseemly, seek to get its own way, or is easily provoked (1Corinthians 13:5); that rejoices not in the iniquity of others (1Corinthians 13:6); that bears, believes, hopes, and endures (1Corinthians 13:7). It is the grace that proves the believer to be mature in his faith and practice. My the Lord give us all more charity.
Charity specifically refers to the love that we have toward other men. Paul stresses that we are to walk “charitably” toward our weaker brothers (Romans 14:13-15). He praised the Thessalonians because “the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth” (2Thessalonians 1:3). In 1Peter 4:8-9, Peter told the believers, “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging
dats krazy!!! My fiance is Haitian…Im gonna make sure he reads dis so we can find a way to help dis country!!!! I feel Bad!!!
It saddens to know that a peolple are suffering, not only economically, but physically, emotionaly, and spiritualy, to an extreme that the Hatians are suffering. What is wrong with the eyes of the world? Are the clouds fogging the vision?It doesn’t matter who helps who-black or white- what matters is that help is offered and used to its greatest capacity.
I still can’t believe that one can be so hungry that you resort to eating dirt cause there’s nothing else… shame man.
It’s actually very ironic, cause here in South Africa – we have one of the highest obesity rate in the world, and also one of the highest rate of people who are starving.The prevalence rate of hunger is highest in one of South Africa’s poorest provinces—nearly one in three households in the Eastern Cape experiences hunger.
Shooo… hectic.
Satan has being rulin this Earth for decadessss!!!
Jesus return is gettin closer every day.
He will return n rescue the people that have been faithful to him throughtout history.
America isnt helping haiti,they are actually keeping that country down.
AMERICA CAN FEED THE WORLD IF THEY WANT TO. everyone knows this!
haiti is the first black country to proclaim its independance. SO Y NOT keep black people down,and make them suffer. black people cannot be “social”,they can only be ” sauvage animals”.and fight their own.
SO LET US MAKE HAITI N AFRICA LIKE THAT. SELL KILL THEIR OWN
a haitian lady told me once told le that “since the pope(antichrist) came to haiti n kissed the Ground,haiti has never been the same.
The population of haiti is quite educated(like an any other country of course),but yet all u see is the kaos,the hungry,the violence every thing that is bad is shown on tv.
Maybe America can feed Haiti, but for how long and is that really gonna help them enough such that they can eventually feed themselves, with wat is going on over there. This is a sad situation, but damn, the crisis in Haiti and worldwide, for black ppl and other races that live below the poverty line just seems to get worse with each passing year. Only God can save them, truthfully, i can’t think of anything else to say, turn it any way u want, it is literally outside of human capacity wit wat resources we have available. I mean according to scientists, in the next ten years or less resources like drinkable water, are gonna start to get scarce and there is no way that is gonna fare well for third world nations.
damn…i’m speechless
Whats going on in this world, we as human beings need to take charge and help someone thats in need. Because if we as Americans was in they shoes for one day, we would really see how blessed we are. God please save this world.
Haiti has been in turmoil for years. The American government won’t mess with the country bvecause there’s really no way to really help long-term, without getting involved military wise. I agree that we need to give them food, but believe me even if the US sent food over there, the people eating those mud pies probably wouldn’t even get it. It’s just so sad…..;
Yes,u are right with wat you say.
i can’t deny i probably didnt explain myself well.
however, talking about still won’t help them, haiti been goin tru dis for so long now,that it even if they were given the “tools” to manage their country it won’t help.
KENYA is known for being the most stable country in africa, look at it today.
we are living in the last days. scientists can say what they want, they can find so called “reasonZ” for y these things are happenin. BUT its all SAID n the BIBLE.
Satan is ruling this earth,he has people suffering not GOD. Jesus is getting ready for his great return, to show everyone that he is REAL.
@ #8- Oprah doesn’t focus on the entire continent of Africa, mainly on South Africa.
Just because there is a political and humanitarian force working in one area of the world, it doesn’t mean that we can overlook every other poverty stricken nation.
Also, I agree with some of the other posts that have suggested that Haitians living outside of their home country should lead this crusade. It is importatnt to remember your homeland.
What can WE do as a people to stop this travesty? I mean Haiti is not THAT far away from us! Forget the established institutions because if they were effective, something would have been done already! While we (Not all of us now, I am just a little heated after seeing this!) “roll around on twenty-sixes” and hate on each other because of each others possessions, our Brothers & Sisters are eating MUD? We are as strong as our weakest link, don’t think that can’t happen here in amerikkka too. Bush ignored the Katrina catastrophe as well as many who have the power, money and influence to make a change and don’t. That’s blood on OUR hands! Prosperity preachers? Maybe they can do with one less Rolls Royce or tittie-fied mistress and donate some of that money to do some real good! Christians (So called) …..Stop praying for a bigger house and think of those children of God to whom you should be dedicating your LIFE to uplifting! There is NO excuse people. Somehow, someway from a grassroots level, we can pool our talents together in some lucrative fashion to drum up the funds for something good to happen for THEM! Not us. THEM! No corruption or greed. My God. I know like many others here, I have sinned in this life enough, enjoyed (Hate to admit that but I’m being real!) some freaky times and God still had his hand on my life enough to bring me through out of an unconditional love! I owe him BIG TIME! We all do! Angel, let’s make something happen in the name of Concreteloop, I don’t need ANY recognition on this one. You know my talents, I submit them to you for whatever will make a change. If we all can pool our energies together, we can make a big difference and others would follow the trail we bushwack indeed!
I saw this n CNN the other day I am s glad CL brought this to the attention to more people, this story hurts my heart, I have t help in some way
God help, see this is a major issue.not celebrities out spending money , on vacation, or for damn sure not Britney Spears, or J-Lo’s twins….
This is so damn sad. I’m gonna find a way to send a few dollars to them. Eating dirt is absolutely uncalled for.
I READ THIS YESTERDAY AND THIS IS SO APPALLING AND SOMETHING HAS GOT TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS…..
Wow!! just horrible.
WOW.When I looked at the title I had to read it a couple times because I couldn’t believe it.My heart goes out to them.And I hope something is done soon.
God help them and everyone for not even caring.i look at myself, i ain’t rich, a step up from nothing, but no matter how hard it was, i ain’t neva had to eat dirt .People waste food and complaining over stupid matters.we could have been there in the same situation.Living in a world that worships Hollywood and worries about other peoples lives who are doing a million times better than we are…why not help those who are in dire need of it.I mean look at the little comments this post alone …but anything about a certain “celebrity” you’ll get over 200.i gotta help…it’s my duty.
I second that motion @ # 42!
That’s so unbelievable in 2008,people are eating mud to stay alive
They need serious financial help to built some houses,to buy some food
la situation en haiti est bien triste et plus que lamentable d’autant qu’elle est très complexe.Par contre,ceci n’est pas particuier à HAITI car les peuples noirs de ce monde souffrent de ces mêmes maux qui sont dûs à l’histoire de notre peuple.
Pour y remedier, il faut une prise de conscience collective sur tous les plans.
WHERE IS WYCLEF?? HELP YOUR PEEPS MAN!!!! THIS IS TOO MUCH TO HANDLE!!
To help is to donate. It’s good that we are aware and talking about the problem but we don’t need to wait on the government to assist…we can show the government how to assist by stepping up and assisting first.
America might be the richest country;but we are the ones that control that richness. So, maybe J. Dakar & CL can start an account to donate funds to help…I’m thinking some $$$ from tax returns
Don’t talk about be about….
PS. read this yesturday on the web. Thanks for posting it CL!
Heartbreaking, especially for the children born into this nightmare of a world.
i eat lunch every day at school for 2 dollars a day, and then go home and eat dinner, it makes me so sad how people are less fornitute than myself . Yet what really upsets me is the fact that they haft to rely on the U.S. for assistance. Not to sound like a spolied american which i’m not cause my family does not have alot of money but,its just so sad.
This is so sad. We take so many things for granted in life and sometimes we forget how bad some other people have it. My heart goes out to these people in Haiti. My mommy told me about this and she is living in Dominican Republic right now.
Whats really messed up is not only does this happen in Haiti, and many other countries outside of the United States…but it happens HERE too!
Good Looking J.D.!!!!! Let us know if there are any charities or relief funds going towards this!!! This is something I will open my wallet for!!!
I am proud to be Haition no matter what. Its sad to see my people going throug this and not getting enough help from those who owe it to us. Did u guys know that haitions fought in the American revolution. The first person to settle in Chicago and establish a fur trade was Haition.The first black women to be runner up in Miss Universe pagent was haition.Majority of the black doctors in New York are Haitions.When haiti won its independence they traveled around south america to help countries like Venezula and helped them gain their indepence.Believe me Wyclef isn’t the only Haition celeb out their, he can’t do it all by himself. Other Haition celebs out their should help out too…Garcelle Beauvais, DJ WhooKid,Quddus(VJ of Mtv total request live),Tony Yayo,Jimmy JeanLouis,Daphnee Duplaix,Trina McGeeDavis,Jamie Hector(the wire)just to name a few,trust ther is more out there. There’s also like 10 professional atletes who r Haition. Last time I went to Haiti was last November and believe what the media shows u is not what Haiti is all about. Its a beautiful countrie with beautiful people who r very educated.The food is one of the best in the entire west indies and the music well make u dance the night away.So please people know that Haiti is a beautiful culture and we have contributed a lot to and always left our mark in history. We are strong people but we can’t do it on our own. Many countries came in and took what little we had and left us to die but we r stil here.
Just when you think you got it bad.
“Got money for wars but can’t feed the poor”. Pac
SMH (shaking my head), that’s all I can do, wow
DAYUM THATS SAD. ILL PRAY FOR THEM. AND HERE OVER IN AMERICA PPL CONTANTLY BRAGGIN ABOUT HOW MUCH DIAMONDS THEY GOT, OR HOW FOOLS LIKE CASH OUT ON STRIPPERS OF ALL PEOPLE, OR WHATS THE NEXT POPULAR TREND OR FASHION ALL THAT MATERIAL BULLSHH IS HIGH OVER HERE IN AMERICA JUST SHOWS HOW ARROGANT AND SELFISH AND UNGRATEFUL ALOT OF PPL ARE IN THIS COUNTRY. I DONT ASK OR WANT MUCH…ME WAKIN UP IN A WARM HOME WITH FOOD TO EAT AND SOMEONE TO TELL ME I LOVE ME..(ME)…is enough for me…ill rather have my riches in heaven. My spirit is rich and im happy with being alive…thats enough for me…if i was as rich as most of these celebs are here in America I would mos def help out over in Hati, Africa and some of the most poorest countries…children shouldnt have to succumb to hunger pain and misery we need to come together and help each other out, regardless of race or country we reside in. It all begins by helpin the person right next to you. TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MANY PPL IN AMERICA WASTE ENERGY ON THINKIN ABOUT MATERIAL THINGS AND LIVIN IN VAIN WE NEED A WAKE UP CALL. 4REAL. Love God. want need anything esle.
This is crazy!!! I don’t know what i would do if I had to resort to such desperate measures :SMH:
@ Let a man examine himself…i gotta help…it’s my duty.”
THE TRUTH FOR US ALL…
I ALWAYS WONDER AFTER A GOOD HEATED DEBATE OR AN ENGAGING POST ON THE LOOP, WHO ACTUALLY TAKES ACTION AND DOES SOMETHING ABOUT WHATEVER THEY ARE ARGUING FOR/ AGAINGST WHEN THEY LOG OFF. ALL THIS CYBER POLITICAN’ IS JUST MIS-GUIDED ENERGY. THE SAME B.S. MANY OF US LABEL ELECTED OFFICIALS…
IT’S COOL MANY CAN MAKE INTELLIGBLE POINTS AND ARTICULATE AN ENGAGING IDEA, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THESE PEOPLE ARE STILL EATING MUD ALL THE WHILE THESE CYBER POLITRICKS JUST BANGED OUT ON THERE KEYBOARD ALOT OF COTTON CANDY AND BUBBLE GUM ARGUMENTS (ALL FLUFF AND NO SUBSTANCE!)
SO EVERYONE THAT READ THIS CAN NOT SAY ANY LONGER, “THEY DID NOT KNOW.” NOW WE ALL HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY IN HELPING CHANGE THIS SITUATION. THIS IS AN OPPURTUNITY TO DO WHAT WE ARGUE, THE VERY THING THAT WE SAY WE’RE ABOUT.
GOOD LOOKIN’ J DAKAR FOR THIS PIECE, ONCE AGAIN, SOMETHING I HAVE NOT HEARD ABOUT AT ALL IN MAINSTREAM MEDIA.
BashyBoo you sound ignorant boo-boo. wYCLEF MAYBE OF THE HAITIAN DESCENT BUT THAT DOESNT MAKE HIM REPSONSIBLE FOR HIS RACE…WE ARE ALL RESPONSIBLE FOR EACH OTHER WE LIVE IN THIS PLANET TOGETHER REGARDLESS OF RACE, SKIN TONE OR BACKGROUND WE SHOULD ALLLL WANT TO HELP EACH OTHER OUT. POINTIN THE FINGERS WANT HELP OR DO ANTYHING.
This is sad news. If someone comes up with something we can do to help Haiti, let me know. Money can’t do much for Haiti. It comes and goes without much value. It seems to me that the country is cursed. This country has had so many leaders who were unable to resolve the issues amongst Haiti. The U.S. has helped Haiti, but outsiders can only help to a certain degree. The country has to be able to help themselves and actually come up with ways to do better for themselves first, act on it, show their neighbors the progress, and have the willingness to continue their accomplishments. It’s a reason why this country has suffered for so long and it’s out of the hands of humans. Only God will make a way for them. SO LET’S ALL PRAY.
I’m Haitian and I’ve been to Haiti and I see how these people live.. But what get me is the when they come here to the United States on boats they get turned away because U.S thinks that it’s not that bad over there but when Cubans come here on boats and there feet touch the damn ground it’s ok. Well it’s not ok. The same reason the the Cubans are fleeing from their country is the same reason that Haitians are fleeing from Haiti.. POVERITY and VIOLENCE. I don’t care if Cuba is a communist country. $Hit they should all be treated the same. We have a president dumb a$$ that is more worried about Iraq then worrying about other countries that really need help.
I do my part to help people in Haiti but we need more people to help this country that is now being forced to eating DIRT!!! DAMN.