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Haiti has reported 8624 cases of COVID-19 and at least 221 related deaths, although health care workers warn that the numbers could be much higher. Many Haitians have a deep distrust of government and public health authorities and prefer to self-treat at home. Additionally, clinics and hospitals were strained even before the pandemic, as many Haitians need care for chronic health problems such as malnourishment, diabetes and hypertension. The government has imposed a curfew from midnight to 4am and requires masks to be worn in public. Students across the country returned to classes in August.
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Thank you for praying for children and families in Haiti who have been impacted by COVID-19—and the local staff and churches who continue to serve them in difficult circumstances.
For sisters Denise, 21, and Rosandie, 18, a pandemic in their community of Canaan meant they would be facing even more housing difficulties in an already weak infrastructure. Both were living with their older sister, Anita, but financial pressure set in and they were unable to afford rent. The sisters thought they only had one option left. Read more open_in_new
The situation
The incidents have become more frequent and more violent.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 1 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 146
New information
One caregiver was injured as she tried to escape. She received medical care and is recovering. Many of the affected families have relocated to other neighborhoods. The local church partners and national staff are monitoring the situation closely. Some families have received assistance with trauma counselling, food and hygiene kits, as well as household items such as bed covers, mattresses and more.
Prayer
Please continue to pray for the safety of the children, families, church partners and staff in Port-au-Prince.
The situation
The community of Bel Air (one of the poorest in Port-Au-Prince) has been sieged with violence from armed groups attacking people, burglarising, and burning homes. Hundreds of people have fled the neighborhood to find safety elsewhere.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 0 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 42
New information
There are five local church partners (HA0355, HA0741, HA0751, HA0763 and HA0806) in the impacted neighborhood. They have been supporting affected families with food, medicine, counselling and more. Many of them have temporarily moved since their homes were damaged or destroyed and/or they are fearful of the violence.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety of the children, families, church partners and staff in Port-au-Prince.
The situation
The South East, Artibonite, and the Central plateau were most affected. It continues to rain in many areas.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: 17 Number of Compassion assisted children affected: 1130
New information
Sadly, one sibling and one caregiver of a Compassion assisted child passed away due to the storm. The local churches continue to assess and monitor the situation. Many children and their families have damaged homes (e.g. roofs), homes and farms flooded, and cattle missing. They are being supported as needs are determined.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety and provision for children, families and church partners in Haiti.
The situation
Heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Laura caused flash flooding, mudslides, damage to crops and farm animals, as well as many damaged homes. The Southeastern and Artibonite areas of Haiti have been most affected.
Global Compassion impact
Number of local church partners affected: unknown Number of Compassion assisted children affected: unknown
New information
The National Disaster and Risk Mitigation Team is monitoring the situation. Local church partners and staff are assessing impact to families.
Prayer
Please pray for the safety and provision for children, families and church partners in Haiti.
Please note: Due to the current pandemic, most child development centres in Haiti are temporarily closed. Our local church partners continue to meet the urgent needs of the children through home-based care.
Compassion’s program is contextualised across countries and communities, as well as age groups.
Compassion assisted children in Haiti typically attend program activities at their local child development centre before or after school. Here is an example of what a typical program day looks like for children in Haiti.
8:00am - A time of prayer and devotion and breakfast. A typical breakfast usually consists of eggs, bread or buns and tea.
9:00am - Spiritual lessons, in which children sing songs and learn Bible stories. Children aged three to five are given an illustrated Bible with simple stories. Children aged six to eight receive an illustrated Bible with longer stories. Children aged nine to 14 are given a complete Bible. Students over the age of 15 receive a study Bible.
10:30am - Break time, when children can play in a safe environment and develop friendships.
11:00am - Social-emotional lessons ranging from conflict resolution to developing healthy self-esteem. Children often come from challenging home environments and are taught social and personal skills.
12:00pm - Lunch and social time. Children often receive sandwiches, juice or milk, or a hot meal of spaghetti or rice, beans, vegetables and meat. There is a special nutritional program for malnourished children.
1:00pm - Health lessons, in which children learn practical health and hygiene lessons, including how to prevent malaria and HIV.
2:00pm - Letter writing and career planning. Older children work with local staff to identify their strengths and interests and set goals for their future.
Children are also invited to attend spiritual retreats during Carnival and Easter. Older students can choose vocational training classes, including painting, crafts, sewing, computer, music, photography, videography, cooking and foreign language classes. Parents and caregivers are offered income generation activities and parenting seminars each week.
of people live below the poverty line
of people lack access to proper sanitation
of people can’t read and write
Haiti rose up against French colonial control in the early 19th century to become the first independent Caribbean state. But it has struggled with dictators, coups and corruption ever since.
The government is facing not only the COVID-19 crisis but an energy crisis caused by a choked supply of diesel imports and a lack of a long-term energy strategy. While blackouts and grid disruptions are not new to Haiti, the timing means that hospitals battling COVID-19 are relying on buckets of water in the hallways and can’t use their generators for electricity.
This instability comes against a backdrop of historical destruction caused by earthquakes, floods and cyclones that regularly sweep the nation.
Haiti’s infrastructure is unable to cope with devastating events like the Port-a-Prince earthquake in 2010—and the subsequent cholera epidemic that killed more than 7000 people—and Hurricane Matthew in 2016. Thousands have lost their lives and millions more have had their homes and livelihoods destroyed. These regular events make it very difficult for the nation to build the infrastructure it needs—hospitals, roads, schools and so on—to bring its people out of poverty.
Over half the population lives in poverty, with 40 per cent unemployed. Almost one-quarter of infants have low birth weight, and most people living in rural areas lack access to basic needs such as clean water and sanitation facilities.
Many of the nation’s children live on the streets, forced into prostitution, begging and crime to survive.
Yet the Church is rising again and again in response, meeting children’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs—providing them and their families with the immediate and long-term support they need to get back to their feet.
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