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. 

For me, Haiti will always conjure up sounds of rara music. Rara is Haitian street music, often celebrated during Catholic and Vodoun holidays, with a rhythm that is almost hypnotic.  Rara can be both celebration and resistance. NPR recently reviewed RAM - a Haitian band that has long combined elements of rock and rara.  Listen to the review here or read the transcript below. Better yet, go see them perform at the Hotel Oloffson in Port au Prince. 

The Embassy of Haiti in Washington, D.C. is now accepting applications are or the Haiti's Future Leaders Fellowship.  The fellowship targets graduate students and young professionals of Haitian descent in the United States and talented university students in Haiti.  Haiti-bound fellows will be based in Port-au-Prince as part of an eight week program from June-August 2016. Applications are due by March 1st, 2016. More information below:

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, 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. 

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.