Protests have continued to intensify throughout the country over the last month. Citizens have grown weary and angry at widespread fuel and food shortages, a weakening currency, rapid inflation and accusations against government officials. There is a general call for President Jovenel Moïse to step down. Many Haitian families depend on fuel for basic things like running their water pumps for clean water and storing their food. Many others cannot afford to make it to their place of work and earn the essential income to keeping their families alive.
This tension is being fueled by opposition leaders who are calling the Haitian public to take to the streets and demand the resignation of the President. They are encouraging the burning of tires and blockading of all major roadways, as well as the shuttering and even destruction of businesses and government institutions. Their idea is that completely shutting the country down will encourage the resignation, but in the process they are damaging the very country they claim to want justice for. It is the general population that is suffering the most, all at the hands of the greed and corruption of political parties on all sides.
It is not certain how all of this will play out for the already embattled country, but it will certainly get worse before it gets better. Whether by government transition or peaceful cooperation, it will take Haiti months to recover from the damage that has already been done.
This is a heartbreaking time for us, as we see our friends struggle and suffer. The leaders we partner with in Haiti have worked so hard to build a better world for their communities, but that world is turning against them.
Please pray for these leaders and friends in this trying time. We are in constant contact with all of our leaders and will keep you updated on the situation. Right now, everyone is hunkering down and waiting out the unrest. Most roads are blocked at this point, so schools and businesses in the Port-Au-Prince area have remained closed. All of our local leaders have enough supplies at their schools and children’s homes to last weeks and even months if needed, but we will be ready to act and meet any needs that arise.