As vital members of the Children of the Nations family, we want to give you an update on the current situation in Haiti and ask for your prayers and support.
As you may know, Haiti has been experiencing years of civil unrest since the assassination of its president in 2021. Recently, the situation has escalated. Gangs united to overthrow the remainder of the government, releasing more than 4,000 prisoners and causing violence in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry has announced that he will resign once a transitional presidential council has been created. Many families have been forced to flee their homes, seeking safety with very few safe places to go.
While the immediate area where Children of the Nations–Haiti serves has not been directly affected by this latest development, the situation has significantly threatened Children of the Nations’ operations and the families and communities we serve.
Here is a brief overview of the situation happening now:
Children of the Nations’ preschool, afterschool, and the main schools we partner with remain open, providing a safe haven for the children. Children of the Nations–Haiti has implemented higher security protocols and continues to prioritize the safety of the children and staff. They are taking measures to plan for emergencies and ensure that our programs remain open daily to continue providing care, support, and meals to children.
However, the unrest has made it dangerous and difficult for the staff to obtain food, gas, and other supplies. Because of the unrest, the prices of these essentials have spiked, and it is becoming more and more difficult for families to feed and provide for their children.
Within Children of the Nations–Haiti, our food budget has nearly doubled in the past two years, and providing nutritious food to all the children in our program is becoming increasingly more challenging.
Despite these challenges, let us praise God that the children have been protected from gang violence so far. Our incredible staff are ensuring that the children are receiving protection and nutritious meals daily with additional support for those with greater needs.
As authorities in Haiti navigate this crisis, I urge you to join us in prayer and, if possible, to consider supporting Children of the Nations’ efforts.
Pray for:
- Continued protection of the children we serve from gang violence.
- The safety of staff as they travel and procure supplies.
- Provision of food, gas, and other necessary supplies for the children.
- Restoration of peace in Haiti.
By making a gift, you will be directly contributing to the health and well-being of children during this critical time. Thanks to a match from a generous donor, any donation you make now to provide food to children in Haiti will be matched dollar to dollar and double your impact on the lives of children.
Thank you for your unwavering support and prayers. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of children and families in Haiti during this challenging time.
P.S. Please give a gift to help provide nutritious meals to children in Haiti. When you give now, your gift will be matched by a generous donor and provide twice as much food to children in need.
By Kelly Flannery, Lead Writer at Children of the Nations