Community

On July 6, the Viv Ansanm gang burned down the historic Hotel Oloffson.  Built in the late nineteenth century it survived coups, dictatorships, hurricanes, earthquakes, and economic collapse.  Through it all, Hotel Oloffson was a beloved destination for journalists, artists, intellectuals, musicians, and peace corps volunteers.  Many have fond memories here - walking up the front stairs to the terrace wondering who was already there, making new friends at the bar, listening/dancing to RAM on Thursdays.  The memories are all that is left now although Richard Morse has committed to rebuilding when he is able to do so.  May it rise from the ashes.  The full article by Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald follows. 

The Miami-based cargo carrier IBC Airways conducted a test flight on Thursday to the Antoine Simon International Airport in Les Cayes.  At the same time, domestic service has resumed to/from Port-au-Prince. This is significant given that the south has been largely isolated due to the danger and difficulty of travelling to/through Port-au-Prince by vehicle.  This new connection would provide an opportunity to bring cargo, humanitarian and otherwise, to the south.  The full article by Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald follows. 

The Trump Administration has instated a travel ban under which Haiti is the only country in the western hemisphere to be included.  As a result, families will be separated and Haiti will become even more isolated.  The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) denounced the ban, which primarily affects countries where the majority of people are brown and black.  A thread that runs throughout Haiti's history, and sadly its present, is the often racist foreign policy of the United States.  Consider contacting your elected officials to express your concern.  The full article by Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald follows.

The Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti was a half-measure - a force deployed with too few members, too little equipment, and too little political support.  The mission is under-funded, there isn't an agreed upon strategy for countering the gangs, and as a result, Caribbean nations and other countries are putting their deployments on hold.  The security situation continues to deteriorate - and by extension health, nutrition, human rights, the economy, and what little governance there is.  Without more leadership, coordination and commitment the mission will fail.  The most recent article by the Miami Herald's Jacqueline Charles is linked and below. 

As violence in Haiti increases, there is talk of whether Port-au-Prince may fall entirely to the gangs.  The Multinational Security Support Mission, deployed too late and with two few members, has been unable to bring stability in Port-au-Prince or beyond.  Despite this, deportation of Haitians to Cap-Haitien continue.  Doing so has overwhelmed the city and put the lives of deportees at risk regardless of whether they stay, travel on roads frequented by bandits, or transit through Port-au-Prince which is primarily controlled by gangs.  Haitians, not for the first time, feel abandoned by the international community.

When the United States deports Haitians, they are sent to Cap Haitien in the north.  Women and children are afraid to take the road to Port-au-Prince where they may be raped by bandits.  Port-au-Prince remains extremely dangerous to transit though given that the vast majority of the city, despite the presence of a multi-national security force, is controlled by gangs.   Many deportees sleep rough in Cap Haitien knowing that their lives are at at risk if they leave.  The Cap Haitien municipality  does not have the resources to support them.  Faith based groups, a labor union, and several Haitians are sueing the United States over these deportations which were a  human rights violation under the Biden Administration just as it is under the Trump Administration now.  View the full article linked and below for more information. 

In recent days, 1,200 Haitians have been displaced by gang violence.  The Kenyan-led security force is under-staffed and under-equipped for pushing back gangs let alone holding cleared neighborhoods.  Even if they could, it is a temporary measure until there is an effective, accountable government in place.  So far the Transitional Presidential Council is remarkable only for the level of infighting.  Residents of contested neighborhoods lack food, water, and health care.  Reaching them is challenging for even the most professional humanitarian organisations.  Despite all this, other countries continue to send flights of deportees to Haiti which is reprehensible.  Read the fhe full article linked and below for more information. 

The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that globally no one is held to account in 80 percent of cases where journalists are targeted.  Haiti was included due to the aggression of criminal gangs who have destabilised already weak administrative and judicial institutions,  However, the targeted killing of journalists is not new in Haiti.  Jean Dominique, immortalised in a documentary entitled "The Agronomist", was murdered in 2000.  Israel was included for the at least 128 journalists and media workers killed amongst over 40,000 civilian casualties.  Journalists in Haiti, Gaza, and other conflict- affected countries around the world are heroes who deserve both respect and protection. The full Al Jazeera article is linked and below. 

At long last, a Kenyan advance team of police officers arrived in Haiti.  It is hoped the first security forces will arrive soon after.  With sufficient support, the Kenyan-led multi-national force (MSS) could eventually reach 2,500 security personnel. As 80% percent of of Port-au-Prince ia controlled by gangs and insecurity has metastasized in other departments as well, the MSS has a very challenging task ahead.  One hopes this will be the last foreign intervention in Haiti - but the seeds of insecurity will remain until the Haitian government invests in its own people and can maintain security.  The full article by Miami Herald journalist Jacqueline Charles is linked and follows. 

In the past, Haitian politicians used and had influence over gangs.  Now the gangs hold the power, controlling 95% of Port-au-Prince as well as the Artibonite and Ouest departments. Gangs charge "fees" for using national roads, kidnap and have attacked government and civilian infrastructure, including the national airport, national palace, and a prison which freed 4,000 criminals, swelling their ranks.  Embassies and international NGOs are evacuating their staff leaving Haitians feeling abandoned when most in need.  A transition council is being formed and the Kenyan-led Multi-National Securtiy Support Mission (MSS) remains pending.  More information on the increasingly grim situation follows in a New Humanitarian piece by Daniela Mohor.