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Suzy DeFrancis of the American Red Cross discusses why Haiti continues to struggle despite the millions given to charity.
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Two years after the devastating earthquake in Haiti and the -- still in shambles and a half a million people are still without permanent housing living intense.
Billions in aid was given where did the money go yesterday I asked famed movie produce -- Paul Haggis.
How -- dealers if that's over the -- quality but it -- yes they did and they should be really angry about this.
Because that money has been pledged by the golden donor governments the money that's been that was given in good faith.
By people who give a bucket ten whatsoever to big NGOs did not get there sitting in their bags -- Why because of bureaucracy here bureaucracy of the of of these big NGOs -- say give us the money and will take offense but it and they don't.
All right now look he mentioned NGOs that's nongovernmental.
Organizations.
-- Red Cross is one of those big NGOs and joining us now is -- to Francis from the American Red Cross -- he welcomed the program is very good to be with you today.
Thank you for having me now I'm I'm not here to criticize the Red Cross that's not my point I want to be and -- if you will.
I want you to -- only what's in -- way.
What is stopping the money being spent in Haiti and relieving the problems that tell -- Well I have to challenge that premise that the money's not being spent because -- the American Red Cross I can only speak for our organization.
We raised 480 million dollars a huge amount.
But we have already spent about or have contracts to spend about 330.
Million of that.
So that's -- two thirds of the money that we were given by donors has been spent and more importantly I would argue spent wisely.
That you're gonna have that much money if you can't support country and look at it and -- always.
Money's been spent -- -- talking hundreds of millions of dollars in a very -- country.
Why is it that the place is still in such a shambles speak outside the Red Cross market you know the -- I would tell Hillary if you talk to international aid experts people who have done this in many other countries they will tell you.
That Haiti has been particularly challenging and it recovery takes time political challenge -- you walk way that's -- that's on any given a couple of samples.
Sure it's -- like you said it was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere.
The earthquake happened right in an urban center.
It was also the center of their government which was totally destroyed and it's taken almost a year and a half -- -- -- even get a government in place.
And then you had a outburst of cholera.
And there's just been compounding challenges but it's not true that there's been no progress and let me side if you -- -- -- -- I don't know and I are now out of that our.
View is I'm I'm sorry Susan.
Our view is our in sentenced.
Americans open -- Wallace.
America gave charities we were given two billion dollars governments and agencies pledged not but eight billion dollars the money was bad.
And two years laid -- we really don't see much of a difference.
How would try to get to grips with what's going on that I I appreciate you being here and I appreciate you say there is progress and we're doing this and we're doing that.
But -- views do not understand why that situation is still as bad when they've contributed to all of this money let me let me just go all I'm sorry could go on like the -- But you -- the problem here is the next tragedy.
Will Americans be as generous next time around when they see that the result of that previous generosity was zilch.
Well first of all we have been very transparent at the American Red Cross about where the money has gone and anyone -- -- still learn more.
Can go to our website Red Cross that category yes I don't -- -- I don't don't please tell me -- solar energy is hot -- that has some of this money.
Is some of this money going down a rat hole -- corruption -- not let them know that's not the American Red Cross dollars hockey where it was not that.
Says a bit that some charity your I don't know which one tried to import some -- of medicine medical supplies.
That -- held up but the adults in -- France for months because that Haitian government want to do impose a 70%.
Important -- -- That -- is corruption.
Is that no corruption that that corruption is not an explanation for what's -- Then.
I can't speak to whether there's no corruption there I can tell you that the American red cross and we have an audit from KPMG.
We watch the dollars donuts gift donors give us -- very carefully and we think they can be very proud of how they've been span.
We have kept hospitals open we're building -- Our our our artificial limbs for people to give me the segment turned -- -- -- when it 5000 people out -- can't send a home.
I think you should be pounding the table.
I think you should be mad as hell.
I think you should be pounding that table as to why something more isn't being done and I think you should use the Red Cross as -- leverage to get something done I'm sorry that's the way I feel.
Go up according -- but.
I think the Red Cross has accomplished a great deal 125000.
People are now in homes that they didn't have before but hello my hair and Danny Kaye deal better -- if they're not know one point -- out yeah yeah.
Yes there were one point five million originally it's now down to 500000.
Know a million I'll have -- I actually stepped up and yeah about twenty million dollars to help.
Movies -- community of one point -- still.
People without homes.
If you got now that's not correct 500000 -- in the -- now there were one point five million but if you go to Haiti today you'll see far fewer tents and tarts.
You would see commerce that is come back you'll see half of the rubble now gone and remember that was rubble that stretched from Florida all the way up to -- if you had dump trucks that it.
There is progress being made and those dollars that people generously gates had saved lives.
They contributed to better health care.
They contributed to people getting micro finance loans that they can start their own -- It's gonna take a long time in the Red Cross is gonna be there three years.
But that doesn't mean progress isn't being named -- differences Red Cross thanks for joining we appreciate you being here which is wanna get to -- all of this thing thank remarks.
