Monday, April 14, 2008

Turmoil continues in Haiti

Haiti’s Prime Minister was booted from office as chaos continues in the streets over soaring food prices. President Rene Preval announced that government subsidies would be provided to decrease the cost of rice. Yet that was not enough to quell the anger of protestors nor did it save Haitian PM Jacques-Édouard Alexis from his post.

In the meantime, international organizations worry that rising food prices around the world could lead to more situations like those in Haiti:

The president of the World Bank on Sunday announced an additional US$10 million (euro6.3 million) in aid to Haiti for feeding programs. Robert Zoellick said the ouster of Haiti's prime minister after a wave of rioting and looting over food prices underscores the importance of quick international action.

The chief of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, also sounded the alarm on food prices, warning that progress on development can be destroyed by spiraling food costs, which can lead to starvation and shake the stability of governments.

Sources- The Latin Americanist, Associated Press, Reuters UK, New York Times, Christian Science Monitor

Image- The Independent


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