November 12, 2024
RECENT EVENTS IN HAITI
- Haiti’s Prime Minister, Garry Conille, who was sworn in on June 3rd, was fired on November 11th by the same transitional council who appointed him.
- Mr. Conille’s ousting comes after a series of disagreements between the Prime Minister and the Transitional Council.
- Alix Didier Fils-Aimé was chosen to replace Mr. Conille. Mr. Fils-Aimé is a business leader who unsuccessfully ran for the Haitian Senate in 2015. At his swearing in on November 11th, Fils-Aimé said his top priorities are restoring peace and holding elections.
- Conille has questioned the legality of his removal by the Council and refused to relinquish his position. Constitutionally, only Parliament can fire a Prime Minister–but without an elected Parliament, it is unclear whether the council holds authority in this area.
- On Monday, November 11th, a Spirit Airlines flight from Fort Lauderdale to Port-au-Prince was hit by gunfire before diverting to Santiago in the Dominican Republic. One flight attendant sustained an injury.
- Two other planes, operated by JetBlue and American Airlines, were also hit by bullets when departing Port-au-Prince, though this was only ascertained upon landing.
- In response, Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince has suspended operations. The FAA announced Tuesday, November 12th, that all US commercial airlines are banned from flying to Haiti for at least the next 30 days.
We do not know what the future holds, for Haiti or the United States, as both countries find themselves amidst political upheaval.
The work we do—and the futures of Haitians, Haitian-Americans, and countless others—will be profoundly shaped by the forthcoming shifts in U.S. federal policies on immigration, foreign aid, multilateral partnerships, and global security.
Roots of Development remains dedicated to the long-term support of locally led, sustainable solutions to the pressing challenges facing Haiti today. By partnering with communities and local leadership, we address critical needs from the ground up, creating lasting change that outlives short-term interventions.
At the heart of our work are equitable relationships built on trust, respect, transparency, accountability, solidarity, and collective responsibility. We will continue to stand by and fight for each and every one of our values, no matter what is to come.
AN UPDATE ON LA GONAVE
Two weeks ago, we shared a statement from Louino Robillard, Program Director of Rasin Devlopman, about a critical situation unfolding on La Gonave.
Since then, the Rasin team has been working closely with local government and other groups on the island to collect data and address the immediate needs of the people displaced by gang violence, without disrupting social cohesion and solidarity.
People have set up temporary shelters in three areas around La Gonave, while others have begun to return home to Arcahaie. Residents across the island continue to offer mutual aid by taking in those in need of support. This dispersal has made it difficult for the mayor to get an accurate count of the number of individuals currently displaced to La Gonave.
We will provide a more detailed update soon, including Roots and Rasin’s efforts to address immediate needs without undermining La Gonave’s long-term self-sufficiency.
HOPE IN ACTION
“On the island of La Gonâve, accessing resources is very challenging. People in the communities of Soumache, Plaisance, and Dieulcé have to travel far just to access basic milling services. Aware of this issue, Volontè Pou Chanjman (VPC) in the 4th section purchased a mill to make life easier for the residents. This mill will primarily be used to grind corn for akasan, a popular Haitian breakfast porridge, and bread.
Sometimes, even if an action seems small to you, it can be significant for an entire community. Rasin Devlopman continues to support the VPC members who tirelessly bring change and well-being to their communities.” – Rasin Devlopman
For more updates on actions being taken by our partners, follow Roots of Development on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
