Insecurity

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. 

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.

According to UNICEF, Haiti's health system is "on the verge of collapse" with six out of 10 hospitals in the country barely operational. UNICEF emphasised that violence, mass displacement, dangerous epidemics, and increasing malnutrition have put the country's already weakened health system under great strain but it may be supply chain breaks that cause it to collapse. Getting vital supplies, health care staff, and patients to where they need to be has become logistically challenging and dangerous due to gang-violence.  It remains unclear, even after all this time, when the Kenyan-led security force will arrive - and without security, access to health care will suffer.  The full BBC article by Jaroslav Lukiv follows.  

Good News! Upon having their generator stolen by a gang, the situation was grim for the Saint Croix Hospital in Leogane and the many people who depended upon it.  With the support of Miami Herald readers, a new generator was purchased and transported to Leogane by boat in order to avoid having it stolen by gangs again.  With their generous support the gang lost, the hospital re-opens, and much needed care can be provided to pregnant women.  A small group of people committed to Haiti made a real difference in this situation.