Protests began on Monday 8/22/22 all around the country of Haiti, including Jacmel. Haitians have been taking to the streets to demand a change in government leadership. Protesters are calling for demonstrations against the high cost of living, gas shortages, and they want Prime Minister Ariel Henry to step down. To learn more about what’s happening, click to read this news article or watch this video featuring a Haitian political analyst. One of our dedicated leaders put it this way a couple of weeks ago:
“I am not doing okay. Not okay at all. Violence, inflation, and prices are all increasing. Families are worried. Schools are worried about starting this fall. Prices just keep going up – books, school supplies, food. It is so complicated.”
– CCH Haitian staffer
CCH in-country leadership had to make the rare decision to close our Clinics and Program Center for a day last week because so many roads were blocked. We were able to reopen for several days last week. However, we had to close again for 3 days this week due to safety concerns. Our building is located close to a main gas station and the Jacmel airport which are both being targeted by demonstrations. There have been reports of burning barricades and automatic weapon use near those two locations. Our staff remain safe in their homes and in communication via cell phones. We have a person on-site at our building 24/7 who is in contact with CCH In-Country Director, Dave Pierre. So far the protestors have left our property alone.
At the same time as protestors demand action in the streets, Jacmel is facing another crisis at the local jail. Those in pre-trial detention have had long waits to go before a magistrate and receive due process under the law because of government closures. Additionally, many prisoners are suffering from health issues and malnutrition. CCH is working with officials at the jail to try and provide food and medical care to those in need.
Schools were scheduled to start across Haiti this week on September 5th. CCH already had to cancel several of our teacher training sessions in August because of protests and the high cost of transportation/fuel; we worried that the start of the school year might also be delayed. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what has happened. Schools have now been rescheduled to start on October 3rd, but whether that’s possible or not remains to be seen.
CCH is working with the Haiti Response Coalition to develop “emergency school kits” to be distributed broadly across Haiti. We are currently in the evaluation stage, surveying principals, teachers, parents, and community leaders in each region (“department”) of Haiti to understand their biggest needs in a crisis. There will be one hub in each department with a sample kit ready to replicate and distribute in the event of a crisis. CCH will serve as the hub for the southeastern department. Kits will include materials to help children learn at home when it’s not possible to attend school:
- Training for parents and mobile teachers in how to use the kits
- Binders with games and art projects
- Posters and books
- Audio/video lessons from the “Blue Butterfly” educational institution that can be disseminated via phones
Although it will still be several more months before the project is fully implemented, these kits could not come at a better time!
Thinking ahead to how this will be resolved, here’s an opinion news article describing what the future might look like for Haiti. As the author puts it, “There is still only one way to avert cataclysmic disaster, and that is to create a path to reestablish a legitimate, democratic government.”
Today In-Country Director Dave Pierre reported a tenuous calm in Jacmel this morning (9/9/22). He said, “People are trying to move around this morning; no protesting for now but there is rumor for later today they will continue.” Protestors are likely taking a break so that people can go to market and do other essential tasks.
We’ll keep you posted on all fronts as things progress. Please pray for Haiti, our staff, and those who CCH is trying to serve around Jacmel.
