As you may have seen in the news over the past few months, Haiti continues to face a humanitarian crisis.
Ever since the gang violence escalated considerably in February 2024, the political situation has been increasingly unsettled. Our ministry partner, PiFò Haiti, is based on an island off the mainland of Haiti called La Gonâve. Wendy Thiessen, PiFò Haiti’s Volunteer Director, shares with us how the current crisis is affecting life on the island:
“Despite the Kenyan-led armed forces arriving in Haiti to assist with security and gang control, the people have not seen any positive changes. The gangs have spread out, and in many areas the violence has become even worse. Just this week another group of people bringing merchandise from the mainland to La Gonâve were kidnapped and their boat seized by thieves. It has made merchants terrified to cross the water and yet their livelihoods depend on it. There are still no flights going to La Gonâve, making boat crossings the only way to get on or off the island.
When I spoke to Emerson (PiFò Haiti’s Programme Manager, pictured with his family), he said there is a five day ‘hold’ on all marine travel right now due to the most recent kidnapping. He said there is a much greater sense of fear by everyone who needs to cross the water, even more than when I was there a few months ago.
One of our suppliers, Derek, lost nearly £8,000 worth of supplies which were stolen on the water crossing. It caused his family business to go bankrupt. Desperation causes people to take risks they wouldn’t normally take.
The price of food continues to rise on La Gonâve. It’s just over triple what we have budgeted for this calendar year. Our focus remains on the at-risk elderly, the children in the most impoverished area of the community as well as the students at the three schools we support. When we ask, "how can we help in the community?", the answer is always, "the people need food". I believe being a smaller 'grass roots' organisation is beneficial because we can pivot and adjust based on these needs."
Please pray:
- That security issues improve so that people can move freely between the mainland and La Gonâve.
- For the health of Emerson and his family as illness affects the island, especially during the food crisis where sickness has spread faster, and recovery is much more difficult without proper nutrition.
- That PiFò Haiti would be able to purchase and transport supplies safely from the mainland so they can start the desperately needed irrigation work at their Community Garden Project.
- For discernment as they make decisions for the new school year with the current crisis in mind.
