Food

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. 

Travesty in Haiti: A True Account of Christian Missions, Orphanages, Fraud, Food Aid and Drug Trafficking” is not a new book, having been published in 2008.  However, it should be required reading for volunteers, missionaries and development workers interested in Haiti.  Drawing from his experiences as an anthropologist and consultant in the northwest, he describes how NGOs in the region caused serious harm in the name of development.  Schwartz is frustrated but not anti development – he is against dependency, corruption, and  disempowering the people we say we want to help.  You can read a preview and/or purchase his book on Amazon.  A few thoughts below.

Below is a guest blog from Esther Smitheram, who visited Port au Prince to work with FONDAPS, a charity founded by CNN hero Patrice Millet.  She describes her trip, the FONDAPS mission, and passes on a request by Patrice for volunteers with backgrounds in administation and/or project management.  An appreciation for soccer is a plus!  Please share with good candiates you may know.