So. End of the third day back in Haiti.

I was out for only two weeks: a nanosecond in long-term development terms. But time enough for a total sea-change in the emergency response world.

In the time I was away the UN logs base has been completely rearranged. The by now famous OSOCC tent had not even been pitched when I left: Now it’s the new NGO hang-out, and the gazebo with WFP logos all over and pup-tents all around feels downright secluded. Some cluster meetings are now being held in containers rather than tents and there’s a new graded, graveled car park where there had previously been a jumble of pre-fab offices.

“Store Blue” still has an okay selection of slightly over-priced wines and packaged foods. Good to know that some things stay the [...]