Voodoo aid

Haiti - Although the bulk of religious relief aid in Haiti in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake has been by Catholic and Protestant groups, well-known musician Theodore "Lolo" Beaubrun, feels voodoo should play an important role in the country's recovery. "We have seen death. But the spirits entered the minds of people to advise and help them heal. They speak to us. It's like therapy," he says.

Voodoo blends aspects of West African animistic beliefs and practices with Christianity. Others feel an absence of voodoo's presence in the aftermath is due to prejudice against its followers.

"Some Christian communities do not want to give food to voodoo followers. As soon as they see people wearing peasant clothes or voodoo handkerchiefs, they put them aside and deny them food," Beaubrun reveals.

Father Reginald Jean-Marie of Notre-Dame in Little Haiti insists, "Any system of belief that people cling to especially in a time of crisis can be of help to them." The priest also said that anyone blaming voodoo for the country's crises is "theological nonsense".