At this time we have been able to distribute over 3,300 meals to families in the areas that we serve. We are going out daily to provide meals and resources to those we meet. Our team on the ground is hand making at least 300-400 masks to provide for all those in our programs and those we serve in the coming weeks. We have partnered with two local churches to collaborate and serve alongside their needs. We have also connected with two other local churches on ways that we can be community points for the most vulnerable in the areas.

Although data is limited, we are doing everything we can to be proactive and fight for the families who could be affected by the virus, face lack of resources, and could suffer from inflation of goods. Haiti has yet to fully recover from the earthquake – let alone subsequent cholera outbreaks, political upheaval, hurricanes, and other natural disasters.

As we have been providing meals to families, many are concerned for their children who used to eat while at school. Many children who go to school are provided with the only meal they receive for the day. The United Nations agency alone feeds approximately 300,000 students a year, many of whom would go hungry without a school meal.

The second concern that has been most frequently addressed by those we are supporting is that there has been little to no enforcement of the lockdown. Those who sell food and other vendors on the street say they can’t afford to stay home. The question being asked, is it better to starve or risk Coronavirus?

We are still very attentive to the lack of medical care in the country. Many are being rejected at the hospital doors. Frank Geneus, President of the Haitian Association of Private Hospitals, shared that there are patients who have been rejected at least 3 times at hospitals before being seen. There are many who will face much hardship without being seen by a medical professional.

One advantage that we have identified that Haiti does have over some countries is that more than half of its population is under the age of 25. The vast majority of global COVID-19 deaths have occurred in people over 40. We have also learned that Haiti could be less affected by the virus as it is less likely to live in such warm temperatures.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as we can. Please continue praying for those in Haiti and for funds to continue so that we can keep providing what we can to those we meet. We are praying for all of you- stay healthy and encouraged.