Unrest Continues into Second Week
As a follow up to our previous eNews update on the unfolding civil unrest in Haiti, we have updated information on the political crisis in Haiti and our children and staff at Pwoje Espwa.
Here is what we can tell you since our last email:
Across Haiti...
- Civil unrest continues across Haiti and the situation continues to escalate, threatening the country with a humanitarian crisis.
- The U.S. Embassy has escalated its travel warning to a Level 4: Do Not Travel, the highest travel advisory, and has evacuated all non-essential personnel and their families.
- The movement is being called "Operation Lock Down Haiti," its objective being to shut down all aspects of Haitian life until President Moise resigns, which he claims he refuses to do in an address to the nation after a week of silence.
- Markets and businesses remain closed, schools shut down, medical facilities are operating with little access to already-scarce resources, and many continue to shelter in place.
- Inflation and devaluing currency coupled with the economic shutdown continue to drive prices to skyrocket.
At Pwoje Espwa...
- Our children and staff are still safe.
- Campus remain shut down, security is working 24/7 to ensure the safety of our children and staff, and we are still actively conserving resources as markets have been shut down and key resources are inaccessible due to road blockages.
- Our guest house managers have been safely evacuated and returned to U.S. soil on Friday.
- Rain engulfed Les Cayes on Friday. Although streets were flooded and activities with the children were difficult to facilitate, it hindered some of the violence and we were able to replenish some key resources, like propane and charcoal to extend our ability to cook meals.
- Our social workers are staying on campus at Espwa in order to plan activities for the children and keep them occupied to reduce their anxieties. This is a sacrifice on their behalf as they are separated from their families.
As a humanitarian crisis looms, we are growing more and more concerned for the recovery efforts when the conditions begin to stabilize.
Most communities and families will likely emerge from this crisis worse off than before.
- After over a week of sheltering in place, not only are most food and supply reserves going to be depleted, but also any small amount of savings.
- Resources will remain scarce as transportation networks are cut off, especially in any areas radiating from Port-au-Prince, where all imports arrive and are dispersed.
- Prices of goods and resources will likely continue to rise.
Despite any possibility of emerging calm and peace, it will be very difficult for people to pick themselves back up again.
At Pwoje Espwa, we are not excluded from these challenges. While we budget for emergencies, recovery will be very costly. We will provide support for our children and their families, our staff, and our community members to the best of our abilities.
We are one of a few organizations in the area with the capability of delivering relief and support in southern Haiti.
We desperately need your help in order to do this.
Please consider making a donation to support our efforts.
or text "ESPWA" to 44321
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