Insecurity

The Trump Administration has instated a travel ban under which Haiti is the only country in the western hemisphere to be included.  As a result, families will be separated and Haiti will become even more isolated.  The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) denounced the ban, which primarily affects countries where the majority of people are brown and black.  A thread that runs throughout Haiti's history, and sadly its present, is the often racist foreign policy of the United States.  Consider contacting your elected officials to express your concern.  The full article by Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald follows.

According to UNICEF, Haiti's health system is "on the verge of collapse" with six out of 10 hospitals in the country barely operational. UNICEF emphasised that violence, mass displacement, dangerous epidemics, and increasing malnutrition have put the country's already weakened health system under great strain but it may be supply chain breaks that cause it to collapse. Getting vital supplies, health care staff, and patients to where they need to be has become logistically challenging and dangerous due to gang-violence.  It remains unclear, even after all this time, when the Kenyan-led security force will arrive - and without security, access to health care will suffer.  The full BBC article by Jaroslav Lukiv follows.  

Good News! Upon having their generator stolen by a gang, the situation was grim for the Saint Croix Hospital in Leogane and the many people who depended upon it.  With the support of Miami Herald readers, a new generator was purchased and transported to Leogane by boat in order to avoid having it stolen by gangs again.  With their generous support the gang lost, the hospital re-opens, and much needed care can be provided to pregnant women.  A small group of people committed to Haiti made a real difference in this situation.