Case Study 8: Haiti vs DR

Question 1

background

Answer 1

• in 2016, hurricane Matthew hit Haiti, causing 3000 deaths and significant infrastructure damage like housing, roads, hospitals, etc.
• a cholera outbreak followed, killing 9000 people, worsening Haiti’s poverty and environmental problems
• in contrast, Haiti’s neighbor, the DR, has higher income, less poverty, and better environmental conditions

Question 2

key points

Answer 2

• Haiti ranks low on the HDI with severe deforestation, and poor infrastructure
• in contrast, the DR ranks higher with better environmental preservation and stronger infrastructure
• Haiti’s colonial legacy of slavery, inequality, and isolation led to poor policies
• in contrast, DR is more stable, with better policies and investments in infrastructure
• both countries share the island of Hispaniola but DR enjoys better rainfall, forests, and rivers
• Haiti’s environmental degradation, especially deforestation, has resulted in soil loss and declining agricultural productivity
• Haiti has the highest illiteracy rate in the Western Hemisphere and a low life expectancy
• in contrast, DR has a better education, a higher life expectancy and stronger public health systems
• Haiti experiences political instability, a focus on sugar production, reliance on foreign aid, and underdeveloped policies
• in contrast, DR has diversified its economy into tourism and manufacturing, with better environmental regulations
• DR has less deforestation than Haiti (for example, DR maintains over 25% forest cover, while Haiti has only 1%
• in 2004, DR recovered quickly from hurricane Jeanne; while Haiti saw 2000+ deaths due to deforestation and poor disaster management
• poor environmental management and policy have kept Haiti in a cycle of poverty and environmental destruction
• improved policies, international aid, and better environmental management are key to breaking the cycle of poverty in Haiti

Question 3

how does the difference between Haiti and the DR show the importance of environmental sustainability in economic development?

Answer 3

• the comparison between Haiti and the DR shows that environmental sustainability is crucial for long-term economic development
• in Haiti, environmental degradation has limited agricultural productivity and increased vulnerability to natural disasters, hindering growth
• in contrast, the Dominican Republic’s focus on environmental protection, like forest preservation, has supported sustainable development and contributed to higher income levels and improved quality of life

Question 4

how did environmental degradation affect Haiti’s ability to recover from natural disasters like hurricane Matthew and the cholera outbreak?

Answer 4

• environmental degradation, particularly deforestation, made Haiti more vulnerable to natural disasters
• the lack of trees and proper land management led to soil erosion, which reduced agricultural productivity and worsened the impact of floods and hurricanes
• additionally, weak infrastructure and health systems aggravated the situation and contributed to the cholera outbreak and high death rates

Question 5

how can foreign aid help Haiti recover from its environmental and economic struggles?

Answer 5

• foreign aid can help Haiti by supporting initiatives that address both environmental restoration and economic development
• this could include funding for reforestation project, improving agricultural practices, and building infrastructure to reduce vulnerability to natural disasters