I hope you’ve been reading our weekly “staff stories” this fall. Our U.S. and Haiti staff have been sharing about the patients, schoolchildren and community members that CCH has impacted. Some days we get to rejoice in the good news. Other days we come together to face the bad news. Unfortunately, today brings more of the latter.
The situation in Haiti is getting dire. In Jacmel, where CCH operates, it is nearly impossible to buy gasoline or diesel fuel. (The news article linked here explains some of the reasons why.) The implications of this gas shortage mean that transportation around the country is nearly paralyzed, including transport of things like food. Massive inflation is driving up prices for whatever food and goods are available. Schools and many businesses are closed this week due to roadblocks, a 3-day transportation strike (“grév”) and lack of gasoline for generators. We are very hopeful that schools may open tomorrow.
CCH In-Country Director, Dave Pierre, told me this morning that the CCH clinic remains open, but we’re trying to conserve gas and take good care of our batteries for energy storage. Dave says, “We run our generator 1-2 hours in the morning; this charges our batteries. We don’t use any power in the afternoon. We turn it all off so that tomorrow we can turn it on. If EDH [city power] turns on at night, we can charge our batteries that way, then we don’t have to use the generator in the morning.” Our Clinics remain open, though we’re seeing fewer patients each week because transportation is increasingly expensive. Many patients are also arriving later than usual because if they do come, they are probably walking. We’re also staying in touch with our partner school teachers and principals and trying to re-activate some of the distance learning platforms and lessons that we’ve used in the past when schools were closed.
I asked Dave what else he wanted people to know. He said, “The situation is very difficult, but I am so proud of our employees. Many of them are walking to work. Even if it is difficult to come, they come.” Our staff are encouraged by the gratitude shown by the people who arrive at the clinic. Most of the private clinics in Jacmel are closed now. Hospital St Michel is open but feels deserted. The hospital has no electricity; patients are being turned away. Dave says, “If CCH closes, what will people do? So we will open every day that we can.”
Right now, we have many challenges with few immediate solutions. We are trusting our Haitian leadership to guide us forward and tell us how we can best support them and our partners. We’ll walk this together. Please pray for Haiti and pray for CCH.
– Clark Seipt, CCH Executive Director
