### Haiti News Roundup: July 13, 2026
Across multiple sectors of Haitian public life, a series of developments unfolded this week, spanning international sports, public sector misinformation, disability sport advancement, diplomatic solidarity, gender-based violence policy, and a celebrated writer’s homecoming.
#### Haitian Men’s Basketball Falls Short of FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Qualification After Strong Pre-Qualifier Run
The Haitian men’s national basketball team wrapped up its play in the 2026 FIBA AmeriCup 2029 Caribbean Group B Pre-Qualifiers with a decisive 104-48 victory over the Cayman Islands. The win marked the team’s third victory in four total tournament matches, leaving it with an impressive overall point differential of +86. Despite the strong performance, Haiti secured second place in the group, just six aggregate points behind leader Barbados, which finished with a +92 point differential. As only the top team from each pre-qualifier group advances to the next qualification stage, Haiti’s campaign ended at this step. Even so, the tournament marked the Haitian men’s team’s return to international competition after an eight-year absence, a milestone that stands as a notable achievement for the country’s basketball community.
#### Haitian National Police Denies Social Media Rumors of Cuts to Officer Risk Allowance
The General Directorate of the Haitian National Police (PNH) has issued a formal statement rejecting unsubstantiated claims circulating on social media that the national government plans to cut police officers’ risk allowance by 15%. The PNH emphasized the rumor has no official origin, confirming it was not released by the Prime Minister’s Office or the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) — the only two government bodies with the authority to make or announce changes to this type of compensation.
#### Foundation Donates 15 Multisport Wheelchairs to Boost Haiti’s Wheelchair Basketball Program
On July 11, the J’Aime Haïti Foundation (FJAH) and the Haitian National Paralympic Committee (CNPH) formalized a major donation to advance adaptive sports in the country. FJAH Executive Director Gérald Oriol Jr. and CNPH President Readforby Milfort signed the agreement transferring 15 multisport wheelchairs to the paralympic committee. FJAH has previously launched community sports projects that included wheelchair basketball training, and the organization said the donation is intended to expand and strengthen CNPH’s existing wheelchair basketball program by providing critical accessible equipment.
#### Haitian Embassy in Qatar Extends Condolences Following Death of Former Qatari Emir
Haiti’s diplomatic mission in Doha has released a statement of deep condolences to the State of Qatar following the passing of former Emir His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani. The embassy extended sympathies to current Emir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the entire Al Thani royal family, the Qatari government, and the Qatari people. The Republic of Haiti reaffirmed its solidarity with Qatar during the national period of mourning and paid tribute to the late former Emir’s enduring legacy as a visionary global leader.
#### Cabinet Ministers Hold High-Level Talks on Humanitarian Protection and Gender-Based Violence
As part of an inter-agency visit by Haiti’s Emergency Operations Group (EDG), Women’s Affairs Minister Pedrica Saint Jean joined a high-level policy meeting with fellow cabinet members including Foreign Affairs Minister Raïna Forbin, Planning Minister Sandra Paulemon, and Social Affairs Minister Marc Elie Nelson. The gathering centered on four core priorities: protecting vulnerable civilian populations, combating gender-based violence, safeguarding unimpeded access for humanitarian work, and expanding the role of local and community organizations in delivering public interventions.
#### Acclaimed Author Dany Laferrière Kicks Off Two-Week National Tour of Haiti
Invited by the leadership of the State University of Haiti (UEH), celebrated Haitian writer Dany Laferrière has launched a two-week nationwide tour of his home country. He was welcomed to Port-au-Prince on July 11 by UEH Rector Dieuseul Prédélus, with public programming set to open July 13 with a discussion between Laferrière and UEH students centered on the theme “The Childhood of a Writer.” Over the coming week, Laferrière will hold additional meetings with academics, artists, fellow writers, and readers across Port-au-Prince. UEH will also use the occasion to honor Laferrière, a native son of Haiti, for his decades of literary contribution. Following his time in the capital, the tour will travel to Petit-Goâve — the coastal town where Laferrière spent his childhood — before moving on to Cap-Haïtien, the historic site of Vertières, and the Henry Christophe campus in Limonade.