If you haven’t already seen, further deterioration of the fractured Haitian government is being broadcast around the world. Here are a few resources to help you understand the current state of events:
Updated June 28, 2024
KENYAN TROOPS BRING OPTIMISM TO MANY HAITIANS
The long-awaited arrival of Kenyan troops in Port-au-Prince came to fruition as boots hit the ground on Tuesday June 25, 2024. After seeing the security forces that morning, many Haitians living under the economic control and violence of coordinated gangs expressed great joy in their arrival. Business owners and residents now feel they can hope for change and progress toward stability in their personal lives and for the country as a whole.
SOURCE: The Haitian Times
Updated June 14, 2024
HOPE IN HAITI'S NEW GOVERNMENT GROWS AS NEW ADMINISTRATION IS INAUGURATED
Wednesday, June 12, 2024 marked another positive step for Haiti's new government as Garry Conille was inaugurated as Haiti's new Prime Minister along with his 14-member cabinet. According to the Haitian Times, "The inaugural ceremony marks the beginning of a new chapter for the nation watching with cautious optimism, the people of Haiti watch, hopeful that this new government can steer them toward a brighter future."
SOURCE: The Haitian Times
Updated May 29, 2024
ANOTHER NEW PRIME MINISTER ELECTED
Six of the seven council voting members chose Garry Conille, U.N. development specialist to replace interim prime minister Michel Patrick Boisvert. The decision came on Tuesday, May 28th, almost a month after an upsetting decision to elect former Haitian sports minister Fritz Bélizaire was redone through proper procedures, including the review of dozens of candidates.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Updated May 9, 2024
COUNCIL BACK PEDALS IN AN EFFORT TO SHARE POWER
Only a few weeks after being sworn in on April 25, the transition council is attempting to share power more equally by switching leadership every five months and adjusting the definition of a majority vote from four to five members (of the seven members with voting power.) Additional reshaping of leadership is expected as the council unravels the unforeseen election of a new president and prime minister ahead of a group election on April 30.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Updated May 1, 2024
TRANSITION COUNCIL ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER
On Tuesday, April 30, four of the voting members of the newly elected council surprisingly announced Fritz Bélizaire, formerly Haiti's sports minister, as the replacement for current interim Prime Minister Michel Patrick Boisvert ahead of holding a scheduled election. On the same day, former presidential candidate Edgard Leblanc Fils was chosen as the president of the panel.
SOURCE: ABC News
Updated April 25, 2024
GUNFIRE ECHOES AS TRANSTITION COUNCIL IS SWORN IN
According to the Haitan Times, despite threats to the originally planned location for the swearing-in ceremony, the nine member council was sworn in after "a surprising turn of events" at Haiti’s National Palace as automatic gunfire could be heard nearby. The Council of Ministers issued a decree to appoint Michel Patrick Boisvert as the interim Prime Minister. Michel is the minister of Economy and Finance and has largely been carrying out the responsibilities of PM since the end of February.
ARIEL HENRY RELEASES SIGNED RESIGNATION
On April 25th, Ariel Henry's office released his resignation letter in expectation of the swearing in of the transition council the same day. Since gangs began coordinated attacks in late February, almost 100,000 Haitians living in Port-au-Prince have migrated to safer areas. This Associated Press article states, "The international community has urged the council to prioritize Haiti’s widespread insecurity. Even before the attacks began, gangs already controlled 80% of Port-au-Prince. The number of people killed in early 2024 was up by more than 50% compared with the same period last year, according to a recent U.N. report."
SOURCE: Associated Press, The Haitian Times
Updated April 15, 2024
TRANSITION COUNCIL OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED
A month after announcing the formation, Caribbean leaders published a decree establishing the nine-member council on Friday, April 12th, with seven members awarded voting powers.
SOURCE: NBC News
Updated March 22, 2024
TENSIONS RISE AS TRANSITION COUNCIL CONTINUES TO FORM
All members of the nine member Transitional Presidential Council have reportedly been selected based on statements in this Reuters article. It goes on to state that “as the council seemed to near completion, heavy gunfire was heard on Thursday near the National Palace off the Champ de Mars square in downtown Port-au-Prince, while people fled shootings in the capital’s Petion-Ville suburb.”
CHILDREN YEARNING FOR STABILITY AND EDUCATION
Children doing their best to survive on the streets speak about their everyday struggles and longings in this article from the Haitian Times, a leading voice in the Haitian-American community.
SOURCE: The Haitian Times, Reuters
Updated March 14, 2024
PRIME MINISTER ARIEL HENRY RESIGNS
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry officially announced his resignation on the evening of March 11 according to reports, like this news report from ABC. Transition of power will begin with “the creation of a seven-member transitional presidential council,” announced by leaders of the regional governing block Caribbean Community, known as CARICOM. According to the CARICOM chair, the council will operate by majority vote and “hold relevant and possible powers of the Haitian presidency during the transition period until an elected government is established.”
SOURCE: ABC
POLITICAL SITUATION
This Associated Press article explains the unraveling crisis: What is happening with the current political leadership and why gang violence is escalating.
MULTINATIONAL INVOLVEMENT
In this article from the Miami Herald, you can find details about the international efforts to aid in de-escalation.
IMPACT ON OPERATIONS
Thankfully, the rural areas we serve have yet to be affected to the level we are seeing publicized in highly populated Haitian communities, but operations in Jérémie, where we rely on access to resources and emergency medical services, have been delayed at times due to civil unrest.
This video from CNN reporters in Haiti shows unrest spreading from Port-au-Prince into nearby communities and how religious communion is a lasting connection to hope in the region.
While people in our areas of operation have been physically unaffected, watching the uncertainty of their country’s future is a heavy emotional weight to bare. We pray for the cries of the suffering communities to be heard and acted upon swiftly during this difficult time.
When we cannot safely travel to Haiti, our organization serves as the bridge between you and our Haitian brothers and sisters. Together, we will continue to actively listen to the specific needs within their community and educate and support long-term, sustainable solutions.
SOURCES: Associated Press, CNN, Miami Herald
By fueling the beacon of hope we have been fostering in the Grand Anse River valley, we can raise up better leaders for Haiti through education.
Take action today >>
