A helping hand for Haiti

U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.), NNPA Special Commentary

- In light of the recent worldwide food price increases, Haiti is facing an acute economic crisis. Haiti is the poorest nation in the Western Hemisphere and is just 700 miles off the coast of my home state of Florida. As Americans, and especially as African-Americans, we must come to the aid of the Haitian people.

In Haiti, where the typical Haitian makes $2 a day, the increase in food prices is unsustainable for the typical Haitian. In addition to the food price crisis, Haiti suffers from a high percentage of joblessness, which results in persistent poverty. During my 11 trips to Haiti since my election to Congress in 2002, I have observed firsthand the obstacles Haiti must overcome to revitalize their economy. For me, and my South Florida constituents, this is an issue which concerns us deeply.

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