What follows here is an article written by Loramus Rosemond, a Haitian journalist who works for the Nouvelliste and Ticket Magazine. He lost several friends and family members on the 12 January… After that date, he realised that his profession could be very useful, specifically to inform the population about the major existing risks and prevent losing more friends. This is the reason why Loramus decided to attend a training course as “humanitarian journalist“, organized by Internews. We will publish an article on this topic very soon.
We asked Loramus to write on this blog from time to time, which he immediately accepted. Since 12 January, he has been living in the refugee camp in Park Jean Mary Vincent. Most of the articles he writes are concerned with life in this camp, to inform and warn his displaced companions about upcoming difficulties. By now, he wants his work to be useful to the others.
Here, in this first article, Loramus tells how we met and started working together.
Article written by Loramus Rosemond, journalist in Port-au-Prince:
When the manager of the press centre, Claude Gilles, introduced to me Benoit Cassegrain and Giordano Cossu, as colleagues of the foreign press, I did not hesitate one second to engage the conversation. I did so for two reasons: firstly, because I feared they could bump into some inexperienced journalist, or a charlatan, and secondly, to help them obtain the essential information.
Benoit, the more talkative of the two, approached me. He told me that he and his colleague are working on a project called “Solidar’IT in Haiti”, the reason why they came here to Port-au-Prince. He then asked me to explain the usefulness of the RWB (Reporters Without Borders) centre and my personal story about the tragedy of the 12 January. We spent most of the afternoon talking, before deciding to continue the next day.
Benoit and Giordano wanted to visit a camp. I proposed to come to the one where I have lived after the catastrophe. The Camp at Park Jean Mary Vincent is one of the largest in the capital, with more than 50,000 people who came here after the 12 January. As agreed, that’s where we started our day of work. Under a scorching sun, because in Haiti summer starts in mid-July, and it is very hot!
At the entrance of Park Jean Mary Vincent, I begin the first explanations. My two friends, captivated by the “hospital” which is itself under some tents, ask me several questions. I explain that the health centre was set up here shortly after the 12 January by the NGO Partners in Health. Then one of the doctors in charge of the centre, dr Kobel Dubique, explained to us the daily difficulties that he and his team have faced since the tragedy (you can read the article Under dr Kobel’s tent).
Another major problem at the camp is by no doubts insecurity. This problem should be solved by the authorities… I then mentioned all the other difficulties which people fight every day. Without hesitation, I took them to my tent. On the way, we met several people, and even a Nigerian delegation including an actor, engaged in a flash visit to the camp. There are several other topics which we could write about… we will come back soon.
Also, I promised Benoit and Giordano, and all of you, dear Solidar’IT readers, to get closer to Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, and its many camps created after the catastrophe. I hope I will see you again soon!
by Loramus Rosemond, Humanitarian Journalist, Haiti
(Loloramus07@yahoo.com / Facebook)
Mesi anpil Loramus, d’avoir guidé ces confrères étrangers et pour pour ton témoignange.