The humanitarian crisis unfolding in Haiti is severe. For over 35 years, we at World Relief have been committed to working alongside local Haitian churches tackling some of the most pressing needs in their communities — this challenging time is no exception.
Here are three things we think you should know about the humanitarian crisis in Haiti and how, together, we can respond.
*this post was updated on August 6, 2024
1. What’s happening in Haiti?
The country of Haiti has long endured a struggle for national stability, beset by earthquakes, economic trials and political upheaval. In 2024, these challenges have reached an unprecedented climax.
The postponement of a national election in February 2024 exacerbated tensions and unrest that began with the assassination of President Jouvenal Moïse in July 2021, shortly followed by the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in August 2021. Since then, the price of goods and fuel has continued to rise, political demonstrations have become frequent and gang violence has endangered the whole nation.
The surge in political unrest and gang-related violence has now engulfed the capital city, Port-au-Prince, unleashing extreme levels of social turmoil. In May, a transitional council in Haiti appointed a new prime minister, and in July a multi-national security force arrived in Haiti to help quell the violence.
An estimated 578,000 Haitians are currently displaced within the country, including 310,000 women and 180,000 children. At least 50% of health facilities are non-functional and more than 1 million people are facing high levels of acute food insecurity hunger.
Millions are suffering in Haiti. You can rush help to them today!
2. What are the most urgent humanitarian needs in Haiti?
As violence continues to escalate, an increasingly desperate humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Haiti. With few places to turn for help, the most vulnerable, particularly women and children, are in desperate need of food, clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, shelter and medical care.
Amid the looming threat of famine in the country, World Relief Haiti is already responding to the humanitarian crisis with initiatives focused on providing clean water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), economic empowerment and protection to the most vulnerable.
In Port-au-Prince, World Relief has launched projects at 10 camps for internally displaced people (IDP) in Port-au-Prince and the broader Jacmel area to support people in three ways: WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene), economic empowerment and protection.
Since April, support from people like you has enabled us to:
- Set up three sites for water trucking services to support 1,750 people with access to clean water
- Distributed 900 water filters, giving an additional 4,500 people access to clean water while mitigating the risks of cholera and other waterbourn illnesses in the camp.
- Conduct a two-day WASH training for local NGOs who will distribute the lessons throughout the IDP camps
- Procure 600 educational materials on sexual- gender-based violence prevention, supporting survivors, techniques to help traumatized children and trauma healing. These informational materials will be shared within the IDP camps by our local partners.
In the coming months, we will also conduct our first cash transfers to 400 IDP households. We’ll also distribute an additional 900 water filters as well as hygiene items such as soap, underwear, detergent and menstrual pads, as well as sanitation materials including trash cans, wheelbarrows, shovels and gloves that will give communities the tools they need to maintain latrines and water points.
3. How can you help people in Haiti?
As followers of Christ, we are called to respond during times of crisis. While others have withdrawn from the country amidst the current hardships, World Relief Haiti remains — but we need your help to bring relief and hope to innocent people who are enduring the unimaginable.
Today, you can answer God’s call to care for those who are experiencing vulnerability in Haiti by…
- Praying with us for the people of Haiti who are suffering in the midst of this humanitarian crisis
- Giving generously to meet the tangible and urgent needs of those caught in the crisis
Like you, we are heartbroken and grieved alongside those suffering in Haiti — but there’s much we can do to respond today. With your support, we can respond to this humanitarian crisis by providing critical aid in the form of clean water, economic empowerment and protection to the people of Haiti.
Hear an update on the situation and our response from World Relief Haiti Director, Pascal Bimenyimana.
Together, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus in the lives of those who are suffering. Will you join us as we respond to the humanitarian crisis in Haiti today?