Du directeur de Cine Institute (Jacmel) de Passage to Port-au-Prince
"It had been reported that many of the stories Americans represented Haiti as a powder keg ready to explode. And also that the stories had the headlines speak of looting, violence and chaos. NOTHING COULD BE FURTHER FROM THE TRUTH.
I visited the city of Port-au-Prince on my arrival. The extent of damage is unbelievable. At every step each corner there is a horrible tragedy one after another: houses, shops, schools, churches reduced to dust. Inside the white spaces mountain of debris there are people mostly now dead. The smell is unbearable . In each Street, there are people - the survivors - who have lost everything: home, parents, children, friends.
We have not seen ANY TIME act of aggression or violence. Instead we saw neighbors helping neighbors and friends helping friends and strangers. I saw neighbors digging in the debris with their bare hands to find survivors. We saw traditional healers treating the wounded, we've seen dignified ceremonies for mass burials and residents patiently under the scorching sun with a few meager belongings. A city paralyzed by two million people waiting for help, medicines, water and food. The plupart ne les ont pas recus.
Haiti peut etre fiere de ses survivants. Leur dignite et leur decence face a cette tragedie est en elle-meme extraordinaire.
David Belle, 17 janvier 2010.
Ciné Institute Director David Belle reports from Port-au-Prince:
"I have been told that much US media coverage paints Haiti as a tinderbox ready to explode. I'm told that lead stories in major media are of looting, violence and chaos. There could be nothing further from the truth.
I have traveled the entire city daily since my arrival. The extent of damages is absolutely staggering. At every step, at every bend is one horrific tragedy after another; homes, businesses, schools and churches leveled to nothing. Inside every mountain of rubble there are people, most dead at this point. The smell is overwhelming. On every street are people -- survivors -- who have lost everything they have: homes, parents, children, friends.
" NOT ONCE have we witnessed a single act of aggression or violence. To the contrary, we have witnessed neighbors helping neighbors and friends helping friends and strangers. We've seen neighbors digging in rubble with their bare hands to find survivors. We've seen traditional healers treating the injured; we've seen dignified ceremonies for mass burials and residents patiently waiting under boiling sun with nothing but their few remaining belongings. A crippled city of two million awaits help, medicine, food and water. Most haven't received any.
"Haiti can be proud of its survivors. Their dignity and decency in the face of this tragedy is itself staggering."
David Belle, January 17th, 2010
Go to Ciné Institute's website for latest photos and footage coming from the students in Jacmel.
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