The headlines from Haiti continue to report what amounts to an armed takeover of the capital of Port-au-Prince and is spreading north toward Cap Haitian. It is not one rebel army, but a loose network of gangs, some of which have joined together to coordinate their efforts. Sometimes they fight the area police, sometimes they fight each other for territory, but in either case, they are terrorizing the people of Haiti and have all but toppled the national government.

Kenyan troops sponsored by the U.N. are still present, but they are understaffed and underfunded — and frankly outgunned by the gangs. They have not been able to effectively curtail the gang activity. Many Haitians were hopeful when the U.N.-backed troops arrived, but the reign of terror by gangs has expanded.

To make matters worse, USAID funding for programs across Haiti has been cut. This only exacerbates the economic crisis and food shortages across the country. Fortunately, Haiti H2O has not been hurt directly by this, since we have been too small to receive this kind of funding. As U.N. expert Bill O’Neill put it on our call with him last week, “the situation is dire, but not hopeless.”

Even though the rebels have a strangle-hold on the transport of supplies and travel around Port-au-Prince, we are thankful that the villages where we partner have not yet been infiltrated by gangs. So projects can continue, like the Mobile Medical Clinics. Dr. Sony and his team can still travel to the countryside and provide much-needed care to people living there. The need has grown, though, with so many fleeing the capital. Plain Matin had a 22% increase in patients, compared with the previous year. Your gifts make these clinics possible — thank you!

You are also providing training for small-scale farmers in agroecology techniques, taught by other Haitian farmers from northern Haiti who work with Partners in Progress (PIP). Due to the inability to travel, HH2O’s and PIP’s staff coordinated a virtual training that got the program started just last month. The farmers have also received cover crop seeds to improve the soil’s nutrients in their garden plots. The next step is to start tree nurseries that will further stabilize the soil and provide shade and nutrients as well. These sustainable practices can increase the amount that farmers grow, helping them feed their families and gain income as they sell extra produce at local markets.

Thank you for your steadfast support for our partners in Haiti! As long as they are able to make progress, we will continue to support their efforts. You are integral to that opportunity and to their success.

Rhonda

P.S. Check out the video below that shows the bakery in Plain Matin in operation. It looks a bit different than your local bakery, but it’s providing jobs and bread to this small mountain community. Your gifts made that happen!!

If you didn’t get a chance to see the 2024 Impact Report, you can find it here.

Dire, But Not Hopeless

Tarantulas, Coffee, and Hospitality

A Step Toward Better Health: Flushable Toilets in St. Martin