Jennifer Daum, representing local Haitian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the agriculture and microfinance sectors, said at a press conference today that there needs to be an "appreciation" for "Haitian solutions to Haitian problems" at the upcoming Haiti Reconstruction Conference in Miami, FL.
Declining to elaborate for which particular NGO she worked (transparency issues, anyone?), Daum said that an efficacious solution to Haiti's woes are for the international community to "leverage Haiti's resources" as it goes about trying to reconstruct the battered nation nearly a year after it suffered a devastating earthquake.
Responding to a question about development experts' criticism of U.S. food aid donated by American taxpayers to starving islanders, she said that while her organization is "concerned about market distortions," ultimately the Haitian people greatly appreciate the U.S.'s much-needed contributions.
Daum added that she was encouraged by international NGOs' partnership with their local counterparts. However, she urged greater international donor funding for local organizations, which have a better understanding of Haiti's needs.
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