Ministry Shares Exclusive Behind The Scenes of Rising Gang Violence in Haiti

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Since Haiti’s President Jovenel Moise was assassinated on July 7, 2021, civil unrest in the country has continued to grow. What started out as mostly riots and gang takeovers in Port-Au-Prince, has since spread throughout the country.

Danita’s Children is a Christian organization based in a small village in the northeast region of Haiti, and they are asking for prayer. Starting last week they have seen an increase in riots, burning tires, roadblocks, gang violence and throwing rocks.

Banks and businesses are shutting down, and a lack of fuel is a huge problem for residents. “A few weeks ago we went into emergency mode,” Danita’s Children Vice President Karris Hudson says.

The ministry gives Christian education to vulnerable children, advanced education, meals, pediatric and dental care. “We are in a major food crisis,” Hudson says.

Since inflation has rose, the price of food, gas and living is significantly higher making it almost impossible for the people of Haiti to survive. Danita’s Children’s pediatric hospital is overflowing with kids with malnutrition.

As the organization is working to conserve diesel fuel, which is their only source of power, most of their children’s homes don’t have any power during the day to save their solar panel energy for night. Their campus has running water for about three hours each night when the generator is running.

The government announced Wednesday they are raising the price of fuel from $3 to $5.60 per liter. Gang violence throughout Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince has surged to the highest it has been in a decade. Chronic gang violence has left most of the country beyond the governments control, with hundreds dead and thousands displaced.

Here’s how you can help:

• Pray for God’s protection and provision over the campus and those in Haiti.
• Pray God would raise up a Christian leader in the country.
• Pray or sow financially through Danita’s Children’s website.
• Share this article with others to get the word out.

The start to Haiti’s school year has been pushed back a month from the beginning of Sept. to Oct. in hopes things will be better by then. Despite the organization’s very difficult situation in the extreme heat, Hudson says the kids are resilient. The group has seen God move miraculously and know this trial is nothing that God can’t handle. {eoa}

Shelby Lindsay is an assistant editor for Charisma Media.