April 10th, 2025
An Update on Haiti
In 2025, the situation in Haiti has gotten steadily worse. As it stands, gangs control 85% of Haiti’s capital, with more than a million people displaced. At the same time, our partners in Haiti have been working tirelessly, continuing to make an impact throughout the crisis. Here’s some of what’s happened so far this year:
JANUARY
- 150 additional police officers from Central American countries and 200 officers from Kenya were deployed, joining those that have been stationed in Haiti since June and bringing the total Kenyan deployment to 600 of a promised 1,000.
- The UN Secretary General warns that, without additional international support, Port-au-Prince could be totally overrun by gangs.
- Konbit San Pou San holds a blood drive on January 12th and trains 40 Haitian journalists in CPR and First Aid.
- Rasin Devlopman and the residents of La Gonave break ground on the La Gonave Community Leadership & Development Center
- Rasin Devlopman begins holding trainings for their Volontè pou Chanjman, beginning with a workshop on social change.
FEBRUARY
- Gangs attack Kenscoff and Delmas 30, taking new territory outside of central Port-au-Prince that had previously been peaceful.
- The US freezes a portion of the funding to the UN dedicated toward funding the security mission.
- 200 more Kenyan police officers arrive in Haiti, bringing the total to 800.
- The first Kenyan police officer is killed in the violence.
- Haitians take to the streets of Port-au-Prince to protest the violence and their displacement.
- Gwoup Konbit holds a workshop on community mobilization through konbit.
- A new cohort of Fanm k ap Kondwi women’s motorcycle courses begins on La Gonave.
- Leaders de Demain completes their six-month community leadership competition.
- Rasin Devlopman hosts a community dialogue session on starting a business.
- Drilling of the well for the La Gonave Community Leadership & Development Center is completed.
MARCH
- The transitional presidential council rotates leadership to Fritz Alphonse Jean, an economist and former central bank governor.
- The US extends its ban on flights to Port-au-Prince through September 8th.
- Gangs launch new attacks throughout the capital and the surrounding area, including taking over a local prison and releasing hundreds of inmates.
- More mass protests occur in Port-au-Prince.
- The United Nations International Office for Migration announces that 60,000 people in Haiti were forced to flee their homes in just one month.
- Rasin hosts an International Women’s Day event on the theme: “Women Can Climb All Mountains,” kicking off a two-month series of workshops for women around the island of La Gonave.
- Gwoup Konbit begins the editing process for the Konbit Guide, which will be finalized and launched this summer.
- Leaders de Demain traveled to Mamon for their Timoun se Demen (Children are Tomorrow) project, through which children participate in workshops on arts and crafts, sex education, first aid, and more.
- Rasin Devlopman hosts a community dialogue session on finding funding for your small business.
APRIL
- Thousands of protesters demand an end to violence and for the government to protect them.
- The transitional presidential council announces a new strategy of enlisting the members of a nongovernmental paramilitary group to fight the gangs. That plan is criticized by human rights groups.
- Doctors without Borders announces it will be withdrawing entirely from Port-au-Prince for at least three months.
- 50 women attend a Leaders de Demain workshop on facing discrimination and challenges in the workplace.
- Konbit San Pou San hosts two blood drives specifically for transfusions to mothers during and after childbirth.
- Rasin Devlopman holds a workshop on “women and girls empowerment: a way to equality.”
That our partners are able to accomplish so much in the midst of such horror and chaos is no coincidence. It is due to their incredible strength and persistence—and our partnership model, supported by you, which means their work can continue no matter the circumstances. If you can, please donate to support Haitian solutions to the current crisis at rootsofdevelopment.org/donate.
For an update on where things stand with the US government’s foreign aid funding, click here.
Welcoming Ben Knowlton to the Board
Ben brings over 16 years of experience as a dynamic and results-driven sales leader, with a proven track record of driving revenue growth, building high-performing teams, and forming impactful partnerships. In his role at Metropolitan Shuttle, he leads national sales strategy and has significantly grown the company’s revenue, spearheaded major partnerships with organizations like Amazon and FedEx, and improved operational efficiency across the board.
Ben’s career has spanned various industries—from clean energy to relocation services—where he’s consistently delivered transformative growth and client success. His entrepreneurial mindset and commitment to strategic development make him a valuable addition to the Roots of Development board.
Ben is passionate about sustainable development and believes strongly in empowering communities to lead their own progress. He is eager to support Roots of Development’s mission and looks forward to contributing to its long-term strategic vision.
When not at work, Ben enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters. As a family, they love birding, hiking, camping, fishing, and exploring the world through international travel.
Please join us in welcoming Ben to the Roots of Development family!