Let all that you do be done in Love.
1 Corinthians 16:14
What Can You Do to Help Haiti?
Haiti’s capital, Port au Prince, has been shaken by civil unrest over the past couple of weeks as protesters have taken to the streets to demand the resignation of President Jovenel Moise. Haitians are angry over government corruption and the rising cost of food, fuel, and goods. Although the protests have quieted, the humanitarian crisis caused by soaring inflation worsens. In an Associated Press article from February 19th, the scope of the problem is illustrated:
And the challenges are not isolated to Port au Prince. Terrier Rouge, like all of Haiti, is struggling. With gas as high as $13 a gallon (roughly the equivalent of a week of work), every aspect of life is affected. Compounding the problem is the drought in northern Haiti that has persisted for the past 4 months, eliminating the essential rainy season. As a result, St. Barthelemy’s farm (and others in the region) which provides nutritious fresh food for the students has produced very little. The deeper crisis, however, is in the community where it has become impossible for many to afford food for their families or transportation for work. For those persons, the weight of Haiti’s economic collapse is crushing.
Our partner NGO, Espérance et Vie, under the calming presence and steady leadership of Father Bruno, is working to bring emergency aid to those suffering the most, including a program to feed those most desperate. St. Barthélémy School is open, providing a sense of normalcy for families and a meal for each student. Clinique Espérance et Vie is operational, welcoming patients suffering from malnourishment and other illnesses. For many in Terrier Rouge, these small mercies are making a tremendous impact.
Your support now is critical. To help in the efforts of Father Bruno and the NGO, you may donate to Emergency Humanitarian Relief by clicking the DONATE button below. Simply put, your donation will change lives. Know that 100% of your support will be sent to Haiti to assist with emergency food, medicine, fuel, water, or other needs as they arise. We are so grateful for you. As always, we ask that you keep Haiti in your prayers.
“Goods in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation have also doubled in price in recent weeks: A sack of rice now costs $18 and a can of dry beans around $7. In addition, a gallon of cooking oil has gone up to nearly $11 from $7. Inflation has been in the double digits since 2014, and the price hikes are angering many people in Haiti, where about 60 per cent of its nearly 10.5 million people struggle to get by on about $2 a day. A recent report by the U.S. Agency for International Development said about half the country is undernourished.”