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**AricGoffgog** · 01-17-2010, 08:26 PM

I wonder how many will take up this offer.

Isn't leaving Haiti to go to Senegal like leaving Mexico to go to the DR?

Correct me if I'm wrong BUT what is so great about all this.

The only thing that is "great" about this is the gesture of solidarity, but that's pretty much it.

First, how are the Haitians suppose to get there? The Senegalese president has not sent an airplane or boat/ship to Haiti, at least its nowhere to be seen in the news. Unless Haitians are very good swimmers, chances are that not even one Haitian will make it there.

Second, judging by all the reports, the most miserable people right now are Haitians that live in the cities. Since when does young urban people are willing to move to "the middle of nowhere" with no prospects for jobs?

Third, the Senegalese offer, despite appearing to be of good gesture, seems to me to be a highly irresponsible act. They didn't put a limit, even considering accepting mass number of peoples. Considering the situation Senegal finds itself in economic/social terms, my guess is that they simply don't know what they are getting themselves into or they don't expect many Haitians to accept to the offer.

The only thing Haitians have going for them in Senegal, in my opinion, is that they will be in an Afro-Francophone country similar to Haiti. Everything else is not so clear.

Senegal
Median Age: 18.6
Urban: 42%
Life Expectancy: 59 years
Literacy: 39.3%
GDP Per Capita: US$1,600
Labor Force: 4.973 million
Unemployment: 48%
Main Occupation: Agriculture 77.5%

Haiti
Median Age: 20.2
Urban: 47%
Life Expectancy: 61
Literacy: 52.9%
GDP Per Capita: 1,300
Labor Force: 3.693 million
Unemployment: N/A
Main Occupation: Agriculture 66%

For comparison sake:

Dominican Rep
Median Age: 24.9
Urban: 69%
Life Expectancy: 73.7
Literacy: 87%
GDP Per Capita: 8,200
Labor Force: 4.119 million
Unemployment: 14.1%
Main Occupation: Services 63%

I think the Haitians are better off staying in Haiti than going to Senegal, if the international community become serious in developing Haiti. On the other hand, having 2 or 3 million Haitians leave Haiti would facilitate Haiti's reconstruction, albeit not by much. Haiti's economy is valued at a little over $11 billion, which means that in order for Haiti to equalize the level of wealth of the DR, Haiti will need to lose 7 million people (77% of the current population). And this is assuming that Haiti can still produce $11 billion, which at this time is a big no.

It's completely unrealistic, and even if it was possible, for the country in Africa to absorb these people would be an economic suicide, not to mention all the other social problems that will rise from this.

01-17-2010, 08:26 PM	#4
AricGoffgog Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 445 Senior Member	I wonder how many will take up this offer. Isn't leaving Haiti to go to Senegal like leaving Mexico to go to the DR? Correct me if I'm wrong BUT what is so great about all this. The only thing that is "great" about this is the gesture of solidarity, but that's pretty much it. First, how are the Haitians suppose to get there? The Senegalese president has not sent an airplane or boat/ship to Haiti, at least its nowhere to be seen in the news. Unless Haitians are very good swimmers, chances are that not even one Haitian will make it there. Second, judging by all the reports, the most miserable people right now are Haitians that live in the cities. Since when does young urban people are willing to move to "the middle of nowhere" with no prospects for jobs? Third, the Senegalese offer, despite appearing to be of good gesture, seems to me to be a highly irresponsible act. They didn't put a limit, even considering accepting mass number of peoples. Considering the situation Senegal finds itself in economic/social terms, my guess is that they simply don't know what they are getting themselves into or they don't expect many Haitians to accept to the offer. The only thing Haitians have going for them in Senegal, in my opinion, is that they will be in an Afro-Francophone country similar to Haiti. Everything else is not so clear. Senegal Median Age: 18.6 Urban: 42% Life Expectancy: 59 years Literacy: 39.3% GDP Per Capita: US$1,600 Labor Force: 4.973 million Unemployment: 48% Main Occupation: Agriculture 77.5% Haiti Median Age: 20.2 Urban: 47% Life Expectancy: 61 Literacy: 52.9% GDP Per Capita: 1,300 Labor Force: 3.693 million Unemployment: N/A Main Occupation: Agriculture 66% For comparison sake: Dominican Rep Median Age: 24.9 Urban: 69% Life Expectancy: 73.7 Literacy: 87% GDP Per Capita: 8,200 Labor Force: 4.119 million Unemployment: 14.1% Main Occupation: Services 63% I think the Haitians are better off staying in Haiti than going to Senegal, if the international community become serious in developing Haiti. On the other hand, having 2 or 3 million Haitians leave Haiti would facilitate Haiti's reconstruction, albeit not by much. Haiti's economy is valued at a little over $11 billion, which means that in order for Haiti to equalize the level of wealth of the DR, Haiti will need to lose 7 million people (77% of the current population). And this is assuming that Haiti can still produce $11 billion, which at this time is a big no. It's completely unrealistic, and even if it was possible, for the country in Africa to absorb these people would be an economic suicide, not to mention all the other social problems that will rise from this.
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