Latest Updates in Haiti
Impacts of the violent gang crisis in 2024
What’s Happening in Haiti?
For many years, gang activity and violence have plagued Haiti, escalating amidst a devastating civil conflict. Despite efforts by Prime Minister Ariel Henry to seek international assistance, the situation has only worsened, leaving communities vulnerable and in despair.
After the Prime Minister left the country to travel to Kenya to secure foreign armed forces, the gangs intensified their attacks in his absence, resulting in the closure of the international airport for months. With no possibility of returning to the country, the Prime Minister was forced to resign from his post.
Breaking News - An overview of the latest developments
The recent worrying events in Haiti have further aggravated the suffering of its people, particularly affecting the families of our students. Unfortunately, due to the current scenario, humanitarian funding is decreasing and other charities are withdrawing their projects, leaving many vulnerable communities without essential help.
See below the chronology of events that culminated the recent crisis in Haiti:
February 29th: Gunmen launched a brazen attack on Haiti’s main airport and police stations, resulting in loss of life and widespread disruption. The airport, businesses, and many schools were forced to shut down. At least four police officers and two women were killed in Canaan, where our school is located. Sadly, the two women were parents of our students. Without our help, they wouldn’t be able to afford a proper funeral.
March 3rd: The Haitian government declared a 72-hour state of emergency after gangs stormed a major prison in Port-au-Prince. Almost 4,000 inmates were released into the streets, further destabilizing the region. Gangs also attacked a jail in Croix des Bouquets. The violence has displaced thousands from their homes, leaving families in dire need of assistance. Our school is located near this area, and the streets around our students and their families have become extremely unsafe. The 72-hour state of emergency was later extended to a month.
March 7th: Haiti’s main port in Port-au-Prince closed its operations and left much-needed medical supplies and food stranded on trucks. The BBC reported that the port’s operator, Caribbean Port Services, said its decision to suspend services is because of "malicious acts of sabotage and vandalism.”
March 12th: Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry agreed to step down after a regional leaders summit due to threats from gang leader Jimmy "Barbecue" Chérizier to start a civil war if he stayed in office. Henry will be replaced by a presidential council that will have two observers and seven voting members and will appoint an interim Prime Minister.
Violence in Haiti: The Devastating Reality
Tragically, amidst this turmoil, children in Haiti are bearing the brunt of it, suffering from severe acute malnutrition. UNICEF reports that one in four children in Haiti suffers from chronic malnutrition. To make matters worse, parents are not able to access vital healthcare services due to the ongoing violence and environmental disasters like floods and storms.
Most humanitarian projects have not been able to last. As the government struggles to regain control of the country and other aid organizations face challenges sustaining their operations, time is running out for the children of Haiti.
Help Heal Humanity is devoted to providing a haven for children caught in this chaos. As we continue our efforts, we are preparing to send the next package to our student sponsors with their report cards. Rest assured, our school will keep its doors open unless the school director and our HHH team tell us otherwise.
Acting now is more important than ever!
For 14 years, Help Heal Humanity has been steadfast in our commitment to Haiti. Our dedicated team is on the ground providing immediate assistance and support to those in need. But, we can’t do this alone.
To support the 100 families who depend on our help to survive in this delicate moment, we created Help Haiti Heal, a campaign dedicated to alleviating the needs arising from the current gang violence, including additional armed security to escort our students to and from our school.
We understand times are difficult for many, so any amount you can give will help. Please consider sharing with friends and family or on social media to spread the word.
Help save children's lives
We ask you to join our mission to help save the lives of children in Haiti and support them through this devasting crisis. Your support and generosity can make a profound impact, offering hope and relief to those who need it most in these challenging times. All donations will go directly to our HHH team on the ground in Haiti to purchase food for the children and their families:
Rest assured that we won’t rest until every child from the communities we support is safe!
Discover more ways to get involved with Help Heal Humanity:
Powered by Service, Inspired by Love