Update on the Crisis in Haiti
We recently received the following report from Outreach partner Haiti Outreach Ministries (HOM):
Haiti Outreach Ministries and the Crisis in Haiti
Sadly, there has not been an improvement in the situation in Haiti since our last message. Daily life in Port-au-Prince remains mostly paralyzed, and the Varreux oil terminal is still blockaded by gangs. Due to lack of clean water access, cholera cases continue to rise, with hospitalizations increasing by 32% over the last 24 hours (reported 10/21/2022).
Here is an update on how our ministry is being affected by this crisis and what you can do to help:
What is happening in the HOM supported schools?
The school year was scheduled to begin on October 3, per the schedule set by the Haitian Ministry of Education. However, the HOM supported schools are not yet open due to continued insecurity. Our administrators and teachers are eager and ready to welcome students back to the classroom once it is safe to do so.
What is happening at the HOM supported medical clinic?
The clinic was closed from September 13 until October 6 due to violent demonstrations and blocked roads that made it impossible for the staff to safely get to work. The clinic is now open two days per week, Friday and Saturday. The reason for the reduced hours is due to the shortage of fuel which is needed to run the generator which powers the clinic. In order to conserve fuel, the Terre Noire campus (where the clinic is currently located) is only running the generator from Friday to Sunday. This allows the clinic to function and for worship services to be held on Sundays.
What is happening to the water system on the different campuses?
Clean water is being distributed on the Terre Noire, Repatriote, and Barye Fe campuses on a reduced schedule. These systems are also powered by fuel, and currently, there is a rationing plan in place to conserve fuel.
Unfortunately, we are currently not able to distribute water on the Cite Soleil campus because our system was damaged by gang violence, and it is too dangerous for staff to make repairs.
What is happening to the churches on the three campuses?
The churches continue to hold worship services on Sundays. They have also been doing food distributions to the communities to alleviate hunger.
What about the financial support sent to HOM to support the kids in school with food, uniforms, book, and more — should that continue?
How is it being used with the school system closed?
Yes, continue this support as it is absolutely needed! With sponsorship funds, HOM is able to:
purchase uniforms and books, ready for use once school begins
distribute food to students and their families to alleviate hunger until the school lunch meal resumes
pay the teachers their monthly salaries so we can retain our dedicated staff and so they can support their families (This is similar to how we paid the staff during COVID when they were unable to work through no fault of their own.)
What is the best way to support people in Haiti?
The biggest challenges are fuel, food, and water. Fuel and food are increasingly hard to find, but when it is available, these goods are 3-4 times more expensive than normal.
We need fuel to keep the clinic and water systems operational. We will also need fuel to power the classroom buildings once school reopens. We will continue to distribute food to the communities and students to address hunger which is worsening by the day. Because the port is being blocked by gangs, sending goods down to Haiti is not an option, but the banking system is working, and HOM is able to safely wire funds to our partner MICECC for purchases.
Thank you and please keep praying for Haiti.
Read more about Haiti Outreach Ministries HERE.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Outreach Foundation is seeking gifts to support the mission and ministry of Haiti Outreach Ministries. All gifts of any size are welcomed to help provide scholarships for students and to support the community feeding program. You may make a gift HERE or by sending a check to our office.