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As Drought Hammers Countryside, Many in Haiti go Hungry

  • Posted on: 24 February 2016
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Many countries throughout the world are stuggling with drought and food insecurity related to El Nino.  According to FEWS-NET agricultural production in Haiti is fifty percent below normal and coping mechanisms are being exhausted. Associated Press reporter David McFadden's describes the impact that food insecurity is having on parts of the Haitian countryside. The full article follows. 

How to Spend a Perfect Week in Haiti

  • Posted on: 29 September 2015
  • By: Bryan Schaaf
Below is a blog posted by travel writer Kathleen Rellihan on the Fodor's website.  Kathleen concisely describes all that awaits the patient traveler in Haiti - music, art, rum, and a unique and compelling history. She lists options for travelling individually or in groups.  If there is anything you would have added to her list below, please post in the comments section. 

Ex-Peace Corps Volunteers Urge U.S Action on Dominican Immigration Policies

  • Posted on: 10 August 2015
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Over 4,400 volunteers have served in the Dominican Republic. According to CNN's Mariano Castillo, three former Peace Corps/Dominican Republic Country Directors and 560 former volunteers have sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry requesting that the United States suspend military aid to the Dominican government over human rights abuses and a crackdown on Haitian migrants and Dominicans of Haitian descent. This high level advocacy from former volunteers shows how connected they remain to the country in which they served, and their concern for the human rights of all people living within its borders. The full article follows. 

Earthspark Expands Haiti's First Pre-Pay Solar Micro-Grid

  • Posted on: 15 May 2015
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Earthspark, a renewable energy NGO, has expanded Haiti's first pre-pay solar micro grid in the town of Les Anglais.  It has a 90 kW solar PV array which is enough to provide clean, reliable power to 430 households and businesses.  Earthspark will hold two launch events – one on June 1st in Les Anglais and a fundraiser on June 11th in Washington DC.  More information is attached and below. 

Paradise is Over-Booked (Land Tenure's Impact on Human Rights and Development)

  • Posted on: 15 April 2015
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Below is an excellent Foreign Policy article by Jacob Kushner explaining how Haiti's unclear land tenure policies undermine investment and cause displacement on Ile a Vache. While the article focuses on one small island, these issues are playing out throughout the entire country.  Improving the climate for investment and human rights requires high-level committment for addressing one of the most politically sensitive issues in Haiti.  The full article follows.

  

Young Haitians Flip the Script with Instagram

  • Posted on: 20 October 2014
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Haiti is more than the sum of its problems. In reality, much of the country - art, scenery, people - is beautiful.  Below is an interesting Beta Fusion Article by Tim Rogers about young Haitians using Instagram to show others the beauty of their country.  Instagram gives people a chance to post the aspects of Haiti that they know, appreciate, and would like to share with others.  Please feel free to share links to other sites with Haiti-related photography.  

American Airlines to Offer Daily, Direct Flights to Cap Haïtien

  • Posted on: 1 August 2014
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

American Airlines will become the first major carrier to offer daily, direct flights to Cap Haitian.  The combination of historic sites and beaches might prove a draw for both the Haitian Diaspora and those interested in visiting Haiti without having to transfer through Port-au-Prince. Growing the tourism industry in Haiti will take time - but having the option of flighting in through the north certainly helps.    

U.S. State Department Releases 2014 Trafficking in Persons Report

  • Posted on: 7 July 2014
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Last month, the U.S. State Department released the 2014 Trafficking in Persons Report.  As in previous years, the report noted serious shortcomings in the Haitian government's efforts to prevent and respond to human trafficking.  There is some good news, though - in 2014 the Haitian government enacted a law to criminalize human trafficking which is a welcome and much-needed step.  The country narrative for Haiti follows below.  

IOM Reports 92 Percent Decrease in Number of Households Living in Camps

  • Posted on: 6 July 2014
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Solutions to displacement take time, coordination and resources.  According to a recent update by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the total number of households living in camps has decreased by 92 percent compared to four and a half years ago. The government-led rental subsidy program, supported by IOM and donors, has been instrumental in helping households transition.  For more information, view the full report.  

New Dominican Nationality Law Will Aid Some of the DR's Stateless

  • Posted on: 23 May 2014
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

The government of the Dominican Republic recently passed a nationality law which, by no means perfect, represents a step forward in addresssing statelessness.  The main difficulty now lies in its full implementation across the country.  Below is an article by Associated Press writers Ezequiel Abiu Lopez and Danica Coto that notes both positive and negative reactions to the nationality law.   

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