As if the devastated island nation of Haiti wasn’t already dysfunctional, new reports say that prostitutes from the nearby Dominican Republic are coming to Haiti, lured by the promise of business from aid workers and huge infusions of relief aid into the Haitian economy.

The situation cries out for some level of government intervention.  But in the months since the January earthquake leveled most of the country and killed more than 200,000 people, Haiti appears to be just holding on, with very little progress being made in restoring civil order and rebuilding the collapsed infrastructure.

Some observers say that huge inflow of relief aid from around the world ($5 billion in February alone) has proven to be a two-edged sword. With so much needing repair, from roads to schools, setting spending priorities has been difficult for Haiti’s government.  The influx of money also has hurt Haiti’s local businesses.  Example:  as free food is distributed, business at Haiti’s traditional “mom & pop” grocery stores has all but vanished.

The increase in prostitution is another example of how good intentions can go awry.  Dominican women are among the most trafficked in the world for prostitution, and the post-earthquake chaos is an ideal environment not just for sex workers, but also for child traffickers who are quick to take advantage of lawless conditions.

Not a good situation, for the nation and its struggling population.