By Guesly Dessieux
PLH Executive Director and Founder
Project Living Hope has been in the town of Camp Marie, Haiti since 2017. This month for the first time, we were unable to make payroll. This was not because we did not have the funds but rather because the situation in Haiti has made getting cash from the bank very hard. In recent weeks, the route to and from the bank has been blocked by protestors, the banks are often closed and give only limited amounts of cash, and hundreds of people wait outside hoping to be served.
The situation in Haiti is truly the worst it has been in a long time, possibly since its people gained independence over 200 years ago. Over the past several weeks, Haiti has seen an increase in roadblocks, protests, looting, and destruction. This is in addition to the ever-increasing levels of terrorist “gang” activity throughout the capital and beyond that is turning neighborhoods into war zones. The school year has been delayed. Many of those fortunate enough to have a job cannot get to work. The small police force is outnumbered and outgunned. Hospitals are shutting their doors as they don’t have fuel to run their generators. Businesses, banks, and stores have a hard time staying open. Trucks cannot transport goods around the country. Resources have become dangerously scarce. The cost to refill a 5-gallon jug of drinking water has risen from $0.30 to as much as $6 in some places because of the lack of fuel for water pumps and water trucks. On October 3, the largest water company announced that they were out of fuel and could no longer bottle or distribute water. That same day, the ministry of health announced that cholera cases have been confirmed. Cholera first came to Haiti in 2010 after the earthquake; the last recorded case in Haiti was in 2019. Its reemergence is a huge threat to Haiti.
Because of the roadblocks and lack of fuel, many areas in Haiti are running out of food and many places have already run out of drinkable water. People are desperate. Even those who typically can take care of themselves are struggling to feed their families. We are thankful that Camp Marie is an agricultural community. While the community is hurting, this area is doing better than many.
We pray that the organization is able to make payroll through this difficult time, keep our employees working, and be a source of hope for the community. I know the PLH staff and myself find comfort in what Jesus said in John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”