CRISIS IN HAITI: CURRENT UPDATES

Friday, November 1, 2024

 

Current Situation:

 

Right now everything in our area of Haiti is at a standstill. The fighting has ceased as the Haitian National Police used armored trucks to push back one of the gangs to the south, and the gang from the mountains retreated. Men from the community cleaned up the devastation left behind by the violence to keep children from witnessing the horrors of the fighting.

 

Many families from Luly who fled their homes continue to seek shelter in churches or with friends and family in the area. Others left the region altogether and are now seeking refuge in places like LaGonave (the island off the coast of Haiti) or safer mountainous regions.

 

Everyone waits with anxious hearts to see what each new day will bring.

The Struggle:

 

Our team in Haiti is working tirelessly to help those in need. It is extremely difficult to access money and food right now.

 

The pastor from Armee du Salut took a 45-mile journey over these mountains by motorcycle and foot to safely access his bank and bring back funds to feed those who remain in Luly and are hungry.

 

The Good Samaritan School director, who is laboring to feed 50+ kids from his school said, “It’s awful to see lives being destroyed.”

Gratitude:

 

Right now, you are truly a lifeline to people during a very desperate time. Your generous gifts are providing the funds necessary to feed those who literally have nothing. We really can’t say thank you enough.
 
 
“It gives me hope to know we have people to count on. I don’t have enough words to say thank you. Your help is priceless.”
 
 
Pictured below are just a handful of the children who received funds yesterday to purchase food for their families who are currently displaced. A special thanks to everyone who has gone above and beyond by giving so generously for food. We are grateful! 

Continued Prayer:

 

~ Gangs currently control the roads leading south to Port-au-Prince and north to Saint-Marc. Access to food and cash is severely limited. Our Haitian team on the ground is very resourceful, but the daily struggle is tremendous. Please cry out for God to intervene and provide access to food so we are able to continue helping those who are displaced and hungry.

 

~ Praise God that the Haitian National Police force was able to push back the gang from Port-au-Prince. Pray that they can hold their position south of Luly and continue pushing the gang violence out of our area.

 

~ Our team in Haiti continues to work diligently to contact all 500+ sponsored students and their families. Praise God that some of the communication channels have been restored. Pray for continued improvement to internet and cell service.

Monday, October 28, 2024
 
Waiting is hard. Right now we are waiting to see what the future holds for our beloved area of Haiti. We wait to see if gangs will retaliate and violence will erupt again or if calm will follow the storm and life will return to normal. Waiting is very hard, but while we wait we trust in God. 
 

Our team in Haiti is working diligently to locate all 500+ sponsored students and their families. With cable lines cut and limited cell service in the mountainous areas where many families are seeking shelter, this will take several weeks or even months. We are grateful that we have received no reports of physical harm coming to any of our students from the violence. This is a tremendous answer to prayer. If you are a sponsor, we will send direct emails to update you on your students once they have been located.

 

Our top priority right now is getting food to those who are displaced. We are grateful for technology that allows us the ability to send funds electronically so food can be purchased locally. A special thanks to everyone who has already donated to help provide food and shelter.

 

The students pictured below from the Good Samaritan School in Luly were forced to flee with their families to an area called LaDigue and already received help with food. You are helping those in truly desperate situations.

 
Thank you! 
How to Pray:
 
~ In times of trouble, God offers protection and refuge, strength and support, comfort and peace for those who trust in Him. As God’s people in Haiti are His light during these difficult times, we pray that others will turn to Jesus for salvation!
 
 
~ With heavy hearts, we share that some of the precious lives lost in the recent violence were parents of our sponsored students. Our dedicated team is working tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of these children. Please pray for God to bring His comfort to those children who are mourning.
 
 
~ Continue to pray for the requests below. Please pray for strength for our Haitian staff members, access to food, improved communication, and justice and peace on the streets of Haiti.
 
Friday, October 25, 2024
 
 
 

“Today has been a battle” were the first words from our Haitian staff last night as the struggle continues in our once peaceful part of Haiti. We are incredibly saddened as this is the worst we have seen Haiti since the devastating earthquake of 2010.

 

 
Yet through all the chaos we are thankful for your continued prayer and generosity. Our Haitian staff ended our patchy call by saying, “We are praying for you, too. When we are in a crisis you are there for us. You never grow tired of helping.” This is a testimony of the heart God has given you to help. Thank you.
 

Answered Prayer:

 

~ We give thanks to God that no physical harm has come to any more of our staff members or students. We are beyond grateful for God’s presence and protection over those we love. “He will cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4

~ The best news we received yesterday is that our Luly well manager, Mr. Saint-Fleur, is alive! He was severely beaten, but survived the attack. We thank God for sparing his life. Please pray for his recovery and continued safety. 

~ In the midst of the fighting on Wednesday night, a boat carrying gang reinforcements and ammunition hit a rock and sank. Running low on ammunition and manpower, gang members attacking from the south were overcome. Praise God for divine intervention!

~ For now, the active fighting has ceased. In an answer to prayer, the Haitian National Police sent officers and armored trucks to fight alongside local vigilantes to combat the powerful gangs. The gang from Port-au-Prince that attacked from the south retreated. The gang from the mountains that attacked from the north still has a presence on the hills above Williamson but is quiet for now. Both have been weakened.

Need for Continued Prayer:

 
~ We have heard unconfirmed reports that 40 or more people have been killed near Williamson. Disturbing images of violence are being shared on social media. Many are living in deep fear. “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
 
 
~ The bridge on the main road leading to our area has been “cut in half” severely limiting access to food. Please cry out for God to intervene so we are able to help those who are displaced and hungry.
 
 
~ The armed gangs have cut cables all around our area, limiting communication. These cuts paralyze internet and phone service. Please pray for communication to be restored. 
 
 

~ Thousands have been displaced. Today while the streets are quiet, many are rushing back to their homes to get what they can carry – food, clothing, etc. Pray for the church to be the hands and feet of Christ as they take in people off the streets in areas where they are seeking shelter.

 
 
~ Our Haitian staff members carry a heavy burden to help others as they themselves have fled and navigate their own fears and limitations. Please ask God to give each of them His strength. “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:4
 
 
~ The future stability of our area is very much in question. The people of Williamson and Luly wait to see if the armed gangs will return stronger or will retreat for good. Pray for justice and peace on the streets of Haiti. We know God is able.

How can I help?

 

Pray: Please pray fervently for our Haitian friends. Ask God to give them His protection and subdue the enemy. Pray for resources and access to those resources as our staff members in Haiti work to meet needs.

 

Give: You can also help by making a donation. Our top priority in the coming days and weeks will be providing for emergency needs such as food and shelter.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024
 
 

It is difficult to find the words to describe what has happened over the last 48 hours in our area of Haiti. It has been crushing, devastating, and frightening. Yet not without glimmers of hope and answered prayer.

 

The gang violence reached Luly last night and we have yet to hear the full account of the devastation. Thousands have fled the area. Reports are coming in that homes and schools have been set on fire and many have been killed.

 

Our Luly well manager – Mr. Saint Fleur – lost his life last night. He was a man of God and we are shocked. He was seeking shelter in the yard of the Armee du Salut church when armed men broke in. He was shot and killed while on the phone with his pastor. Words cannot describe the deep sadness we feel as we hear of these horrific losses.

 
We echo the cry of David in Psalm 13:1. “How long, O Lord?”
 
 

Our dedicated staff members who fled to LaDigue have already been working hard to find shelter for others who left their homes in a panic. Even as they suffer losses of their own, they are working tirelessly to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They specifically wanted to thank you for your steadfast prayers. “We can deeply feel your prayers. The Lord has kept us alive. We are so thankful that everyone is praying.”

 

As a glimmer of hope, we have also heard reports that the Haitian government has sent armored vehicles and police officers to the area. They are working now to combat the violence.

 
Thank you to everyone who has given generously, prayed continually and reached out with words of encouragement. Your love and care keeps us going. We will continue to post updates here as we receive news from Haiti.
 
 
 
 
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 (evening)
 
 
Reports are coming in from Haiti that the violence is encroaching on Luly. Many people who have been sheltering at homes or in churches are afraid. One of our school leaders asked us to join them in praying Psalm 91.
 
 
“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’ Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day…” Psalm 91:1-5
 

Tuesday, October 22, 2024 (morning)

 

Our hearts are heavy this morning as violence has erupted on the streets in our area of Haiti over the last 24 hours. Multiple gangs who want control of our region have combined forces and are encircling our communities. The WWV guesthouse/headquarters has been taken over by armed men and many families are fleeing the area. It is devastating.

 

We give thanks to God that all of our staff members have been accounted for. While the situation is still very unstable, we are grateful they are currently safe.

 

To help you understand what’s happening, the map below shows the area served by World Wide Village. Homes and businesses in these areas have been set on fire and there is ongoing gunfire.

 

Our hearts are heavy this morning as violence has erupted on the streets in our area of Haiti over the last 24 hours. Multiple gangs who want control of our region have combined forces and are encircling our communities. The WWV guesthouse/headquarters has been taken over by armed men and many families are fleeing the area. It is devastating.

 

We give thanks to God that all of our staff members have been accounted for. While the situation is still very unstable, we are grateful they are currently safe.

 

To help you understand what’s happening, the map below shows the area served by World Wide Village. Homes and businesses in these areas have been set on fire and there is ongoing gunfire.

 

Families are seeking shelter in Luly and Marotte (the location of several of our schools and our medical center). Others have fled to an area called Delice, up toward the mountains near St. Medard. There is very little cell signal in those areas so communication has been very difficult. While the situation remains critical, we still know that God is in control.
 
 
 
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
 
 
Please pray fervently for our Haitian friends. Ask God to give them His protection and subdue the enemy. You can also help by making a donation. Our top priority in the coming days and weeks will be providing for emergency needs such as food and shelter.
 
 
We will continue to keep you updated on the situation as we are able to communicate with our Haitian staff on the ground. Thank you for your prayers, your care and concern, and your generosity.
 
 

World Wide Village, Inc. is a registered 501c(3) nonprofit organization:

3495 Northdale Blvd. NW, Suite 230
Coon Rapids, MN  55448
Phone: (651) 777-6908

2412 Irwin St., Suite 206
Melbourne, FL 32901

info@worldwidevillage.org

*All donations made to World Wide Village will be used at the organization’s discretion for any purpose consistent with its tax-exempt mission.