According to the U.N Food and Agriculture Organisation (FA), almost six million people in Haiti are facing severe hunger as a result of gang violence, displacement, high food and fuel prices, coupled with extreme weather that has negatively affected agriculture.  gang violence and displacement, combined with high food and fuel prices and an extreme El Niño weather phenomenon that is threatening food security.  Haiti is now dealing with a level of food insecurity amongst the highest in the world while the authorities are bogged down with trying to re-establish order and security in Port-au-Prince.  Without sufficient humanitarian assistance, food insecurity is expected to further deteriorate in the months ahead. The full article by AP jourrnalist Danica Coto follows. 

Over 766 Haitians who had been living in the United States with Temporary Protected Status have been deported to Cap Haitien.  They were working, educating their children, going to church and contributing to American communities before being sent back to a country that is even more insecure than when they left.  Cap Haitien is saturated with deportees - many do not want to stay but they remain as the routes to and beyond Port-au-Prince are unsafe, especially for women and girls.  Some of them will be hurt, even killed trying to reconnect with friends and family members who may be able to host them.  This is a cruel policy even for this Administration.  Please talk to your elected officials about ending the deportation of Haitians as soon as possible.  

In the absence of a credible and competent central government, violence has spread from Port-au-Prince to other regions including the Artibonite Valley and the Central Plateau.  According to ACLED, 6000 people died in violent dearths in 2025 with 1.4 million people, ten percent of the population, internally displaced.  The gangs are also maintaining a presence along key transit routes including those that run into and out of Port-au-Prince and into the Dominican Republic.  In this way they can expand by trafficking guns, drugs, and "taxing" commerce.  The full article on the worsening security situation by Harriet Barber in the Guardian follows. 

The Trump Administration intends to deport Haitians residing in the United States with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) despite the fact that Haiti is insecure, dangerous, and a humanitarian emergency.  The head of Doctors Without Borders recently visited Haiti and returned with a clear message for the administration: "People should not be returned to places where violence and insecurity make it unsafe to live, work, or access basic services, including medical care. That reality should guide any decisions about the future of TPS."  Deportees may be kidnapped, injured, or killed - please contact your elected officials on their behalf. 

The U.N has a long history of surging and retracting in Haiti.  The new UN backed international force has received pledges of more than 5,500 soldiers and police with Chadians already in Port-au-Prince to replace the Kenyans.  While pledges don't always turn into commitments, this is at least a positive sign that numerous countries are willing to provide human or financial resources to help re-establish security.  Elections, recovery, and longer-term development all depend on it.  Deployments of new staff will reportedly continue from fall until the end of the year.  Given how long Haitians have suffered, this is welcome news.  The full AP article is linked and below. 

As the UN-Approved Gang Supression Force (GSP) takes shape, many Haitians are unsure whether it will be able to reclaim Port au Prince, which is 90% controlled by gangs, let alone areas outside it.  Many questions remain.  Will the GSF reach the anticipated 5,500 police and military officers hoped for? How will the force interface with and protect civiians? How long will it remain and how will it transition if there is not a competent central government prepated to invest in its own people and their security?  The full article by Milo Milfort for the New Humanitarian follows. 

The United States and Panama presented a draft proposal to the U.N. Security Council on Thursday that would create a “gang-suppression force” with a maximum of 5,550 uniformed personnel. The force would have arrest and detention powers and more military-grade capabilities and lethal equipment.  As of right now, it is unclear whether the new plan would replace or expand the Kenyan led security force.  The proposal is essentially an admission that the force has failed - but to be fair, even with twice the staff, arms, and financing the task of stabilising and holding Port au Prince let alone areas outside the capital would have been too much.  The full article is linked and follows. 

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.