The international response to the current crisis in Haiti has been very limited and, sadly, there has been almost no coverage in the U.S. national media… but YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY ACTING NOW!

You are likely aware that since February 7th, Haiti has been paralyzed by widespread anti-government protests and escalating violence, resulting in a humanitarian crisis. The country is in lockdown as protests continue for a tenth day. News sources have reported that nine people have been killed, but sources on the ground estimate the number to be fifty-plus with hundreds more injured.

The U.S. has raised its travel warning to level 4 (“Do not travel due to crime and civil unrest”), and the embassy has evacuated most non-emergency staff and their families. The Canadian embassy has closed, and a number of NGOs are also evacuating staff. Protests have led to widespread destruction, including a courthouse in Petite Goave that was set on fire, and both the Italian and Peruvian embassy offices were broken into and ransacked.

People are protesting skyrocketing prices, growing inflation, devaluation of the gourde, and government corruption, and they are calling for President Moise’s resignation. He has refused to step down, and there is no end in sight to the current unrest.

Lamothe Lormier, Haitian environmental educator and longtime friend of PIP, urges us all to do something now: “I’ve witnessed much turmoil in Haiti over the last 30 years, but I’ve never seen anything like this before. Please! Please! Please say something, do something for millions of our brothers and sisters in Haiti right now. Every minute counts!”

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1. Contact media outlets.
   Let the media know about the importance of covering the current crisis. Urge them to provide more coverage so that more people can be informed.
2. Reach out to your U.S. Representative or Senator.
   Request that your elected leaders and the Department of State pressure the Haitian government to work toward a peaceful and immediate resolution to the crisis and an end to the violence and loss of life.
3. Stay informed.
   Sadly, until just yesterday, major U.S. news outlets were offering almost no coverage of the crisis in Haiti. We are grateful that the Miami Herald, BBC, Aljazeera, and a few other sources have been providing some coverage over the past week. Look for further updates from PIP via email, Facebook, and our website.

Learn More

Haiti hospitals crippled as riots cut off supplies
https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2019/02/17/haiti-hospital-struggling-riots-kiley-pkg-vpx.cnn/video/playlists/around-the-world/

In pictures: Haiti anti-government protests
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-47277534?SThisFB&fbclid=IwAR3ClVJiny2pdXYAGhMPIFbFdTbLEMQVmSkDac-6lt4CIvtRm8-Kw1OY9Og

‘I feel like I’ve been deserted:’ B.C. woman trapped in Haiti says Canada not doing enough to help
https://globalnews.ca/news/4971500/kelowna-woman-stuck-in-haiti/?fbclid=IwAR1C98e97BMKT_pjLvJ02EkcubSGBk39iFxCB7UmjycpMSC5DHwYtcCGP-8

Haiti President Jovenel Moise refuses to quit
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-47247999?fbclid=IwAR3o-yZgHk56sGwFOi-Uf1IiVWIV3jwn-w3WB0buVJeShagLGML835gnlks

Mass Protests in Haiti, Like France’s Yellow Vests, Threaten Modern Oligarchic Structure
https://www.mintpressnews.com/protests-in-haiti-like-frances-yellow-vests-threaten-oligarchic-structure/255009/?fbclid=IwAR0HfRlxihb_ChuLV63Jk1nzWI2gmA4-lCBGZUZfBxlgp9EvNFxPlpE5HJcure