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标签： Haiti

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  • Distribution of 10,000 food kits in the Southern Department of Haiti

    Distribution of 10,000 food kits in the Southern Department of Haiti

    Against a persistent backdrop of widespread food insecurity plaguing vulnerable communities across Haiti, state-backed social assistance agencies launched a major food distribution mission during the 2026 Easter holiday period, rolling out 10,000 emergency food kits to households in the country’s South Department.

    Ahead of the field deployment, Jean Sadrack Jean François, director of Haiti’s Directorate for the Fight Against Poverty (DLCP), led a high-level coordination meeting at the Departmental Emergency Operations Center (COUD) based in Fonfrède. The gathering brought together key stakeholders from multiple government agencies to iron out operational logistics, ensuring the aid would reach intended recipients efficiently and without disruption. Attendees included Kesner Romilus, director general of the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES, the lead implementing body for the mission); Lincosld Charles, the South Department’s regional government delegate; Pierre-Marie Boutin, FAES’ regional coordinator; Abner Jean-Charles, regional coordinator for the Directorate General of Civil Protection (DGPC); and Yacinthe Germain, regional coordinator for the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MAST).

    The distribution operation, which ran from April 2 to April 6, forms a core component of the national Multisectoral Emergency Program, an initiative overseen by MAST and managed by FAES that is explicitly designed to combat the severe food insecurity that has pushed thousands of Haitian households into food instability.

    Beyond the food kit rollout, the interagency delegation conducted an inspection visit to the under-development Southern Rehabilitation Center in Madame Combe. The facility is set to welcome nearly 2,000 vulnerable Haitians in the near future, and the visit allowed officials to assess infrastructure and operational needs for a new on-site community restaurant scheduled to open its doors on April 6.

    This latest regional relief effort is part of a far larger, ongoing national social assistance commitment by the Haitian government. Through FAES, the administration currently provides 48,000 prepared meals every day to internally displaced persons across the country, with the allocation broken out across three major regions: 2,000 meals for Artibonite, 9,000 for the Centre region, and 37,000 for the country’s most populous region, West. In addition to fixed-site meal programs, 36,000 additional meals are served daily via mobile canteen operations across Port-au-Prince, Delmas, and Pétion-ville, reaching low-income and food-insecure residents in dense urban areas that have been disproportionately impacted by ongoing economic and humanitarian instability.

  • «Konbit Haiti Zero Waste» : 15,200 m3 of waste collected in the metropolitan area

    «Konbit Haiti Zero Waste» : 15,200 m3 of waste collected in the metropolitan area

    Haiti’s national clean environment initiative, “Konbit Haiti Zero Waste”, has delivered strong early results in the country’s metropolitan region, with project officials announcing this week that more than 15,200 cubic meters of solid waste have been collected across five participating municipalities since the program launched. Minister of the Environment Valéry Fils-Aimé, who unveiled the program at its official launch, reported that the first phase of on-ground interventions has already mobilized more than 1,500 local workers to support waste collection efforts. All participating workers have received full compensation for 10 days of work completed over the 2026 Easter holiday period, with payments disbursed entirely via the MonCash digital payment platform as of April 2, 2026, according to the ministry.

    Data compiled by two technical bodies under the Ministry of the Environment — the National Solid Waste Management Service (SNGRS) and the Living Environment and Sanitation Directorate (DCVA), which coordinate and oversee all sanitation work for the initiative — confirms the impressive early output of the program. Working with a fleet of 23 heavy-duty vehicles including waste trucks, compactors, and dump trucks contributed by partner institutions, organized into five rotating work teams, the initiative has covered 30 collection roads split evenly across five target municipalities: Pétion-ville, Delmas, Tabarre, Cité Soleil, and Port-au-Prince. Over 23 days of active collection work, teams have pulled in an average of 632 cubic meters of waste per day, totaling the milestone 15,200 cubic meters reported this week.

    The Ministry of the Environment has publicly praised the cross-sector collaboration that made these early gains possible, extending sincere gratitude to all institutional partners that contributed equipment, coordination, and labor to the first phase. Minister Fils-Aimé specifically highlighted the dedication of the SNGRS team led by Director Daril Balthazar, as well as the consistent on-the-ground support from leaders and staff at the five participating municipalities. The ministry also commended the Haitian public for its widespread commitment to the initiative’s goals and the positive reception the program has received since it rolled out.

    Looking ahead, the Haitian government confirmed that the program will continue expanding its reach across the country, with preparation work already underway to extend services to two additional major Haitian cities: Cap-Haïtien in the north and Ouanaminthe on the Dominican border.

    First launched by the Ministry of the Environment, Konbit Haiti Zero Waste was designed to revitalize and reenergize Haiti’s fragmented solid waste collection and management systems. Operated under the ongoing direction of SNGRS with active input and participation from local municipal authorities, the initiative carries two core overarching goals: to improve public health and quality of life for Haitian communities, and to strengthen consistent presence of state public services across the country.

    In a closing statement, the Ministry of the Environment reiterated the core philosophy guiding the program, noting: “It is important to never forget that beyond large-scale government policies, a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment can only be achieved through the consistent daily actions of every individual.”

  • Advanced Tactical Training : Graduation in Haiti of the 2nd Class

    Advanced Tactical Training : Graduation in Haiti of the 2nd Class

    On April 3, 2026, Haiti marked a key milestone in its ongoing battle against widespread gang violence with the graduation of the second cohort of specialized police officers from the country’s new anti-gang tactical training facility. The ceremony, held at the purpose-built Anti-Gang Training Center in Morne Casse, was led by Inspector General Jacques Joël Orival, Central Director of Haiti’s Administrative Police, and capped off a rigorous training program that concluded with a large-scale simulated assault exercise demonstrating trainees’ new capabilities.

    Thirty police officers drawn from across all of the Haitian National Police (PNH)’s elite specialized units completed the program. Participants represented the force’s SWAT team, the Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG), the Counter-Ambush Unit (CAT), the Departmental Operations and Intervention Brigade (BOID), and the Research and Intervention Brigade (BRI). Unlike previous training initiatives that often trained separate units in isolation, this advanced tactical course brought cross-unit officers together under unified, harmonized training standards, a design specifically intended to strengthen inter-unit coordination during high-stakes field operations.

    The program was delivered through a collaborative partnership between international specialized instructors and Haitian national trainers, all of whom are themselves graduates of the same advanced tactical program. Upon completing all required coursework and practical assessments, each graduate received an official certification confirming that they have acquired the upgraded tactical skills needed to confront Haiti’s evolving complex security challenges.

    Against the backdrop of persistent insecurity driven by armed gang activity across Haiti, this training initiative fills a critical operational gap. Local security conditions frequently demand joint responses from multiple specialized PNH units across different jurisdictional boundaries, and the shared training framework directly addresses the coordination gaps that have hampered past anti-gang operations. Officials frame the graduation of this second cohort as a critical step toward strengthening the PNH’s overall operational capacity to combat armed gangs, reduce community insecurity, and stabilize the country amid ongoing crisis.

  • Haitian biodiversity, a major economic lever

    Haitian biodiversity, a major economic lever

    A groundbreaking economic assessment conducted by Haiti’s Ministry of Environment in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has revealed the staggering economic value of the nation’s coastal ecosystems. The March 2026 analysis estimates these natural assets contribute approximately $9.57 billion annually to Haiti’s economy through essential ecosystem services.

    This valuation represents the Total Economic Value of nature’s complimentary services rather than direct monetary revenue. The comprehensive study breaks down the economic contributions across four critical ecosystem services:

    Coastal protection constitutes the most significant portion (40-50%), with mangroves and coral reefs providing vital storm and erosion barriers that prevent billions in potential infrastructure damage during hurricane events.

    Fisheries support accounts for 20-30% of the total value, as marine ecosystems serve as indispensable breeding grounds. Remarkably, over 82% of Haiti’s fish production directly depends on the health of these coastal habitats.

    Carbon sequestration represents 10-15% of the valuation, with mangrove forests storing substantial ‘blue carbon’ that holds measurable value in global carbon markets while simultaneously combating climate change.

    Tourism and recreation potential contributes 5-10% despite current security challenges, indicating significant untapped economic opportunities, particularly in Haiti’s southern regions.

    The findings were presented on March 26, 2026, at a Port-au-Prince gathering of approximately fifty stakeholders from public, private, and academic sectors. This meeting marked the initial phase of UNDP’s Biodiversity Financing Initiative (BIOFIN), launched in 2012, to address Haiti’s critical biodiversity funding gap.

    Currently, 97% of biodiversity preservation funding originates from external aid, creating an unsustainable conservation model. The BIOFIN initiative aims to establish more structured, autonomous financing mechanisms through four priority areas: creating dedicated national budget lines, exploring innovative financing tools including debt-for-nature swaps, strengthening institutional capabilities, and fully integrating gender considerations into conservation planning.

    The assessment fundamentally reframes biodiversity from an environmental concern to an economic imperative, positioning ecosystem protection as a strategic investment that supports livelihoods, stimulates local economies, and secures Haiti’s sustainable development future.

  • Pricing methods for petroleum products in Haiti

    Pricing methods for petroleum products in Haiti

    The Haitian government has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for petroleum product pricing through an official decree published in the national gazette “Le Moniteur” on March 27, 2026. This new system introduces a standardized monthly calculation methodology that will determine fuel prices across the nation.

    Under the directive from the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI), pump prices will be recalculated monthly based on a transparent cost structure. The finalized prices will be announced through joint ministerial notices on the first day of each month and will maintain nationwide consistency.

    The pricing formula incorporates multiple components including the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of the most recent monthly shipment, complemented by various operational and regulatory expenses. These encompass customs inspection fees, import duties, port charges, specific excise taxes, royalty payments, and calculated margins for both oil companies and distributors. Additional factors include transportation and storage costs, variable excise duties, and a stabilization margin.

    A three-tier adjustment mechanism has been implemented to govern price changes:

    1. Price stability will be maintained when monthly calculated price variations remain at or below 3%, with no adjustment required.

    2. Automatic pump price adjustments will trigger when calculated price fluctuations exceed 3% in either direction, though these adjustments will be capped at a maximum of 10% of the previously published price.

    3. Significant calculated price variations exceeding 3% that would necessitate pump price adjustments beyond 10% will require government determination following consultation with the Advisory Council.

    This structured approach aims to balance market responsiveness with consumer protection against volatile price swings.

  • RFI Theatre Prize 2026 : Call for Submissions Open

    RFI Theatre Prize 2026 : Call for Submissions Open

    Radio France International (RFI) has officially opened submissions for its prestigious 13th annual RFI Theatre Prize 2026, continuing its mission to discover and promote exceptional theatrical talent from French-speaking regions worldwide. The competition specifically targets emerging playwrights aged 18-46 from Francophone Africa, Lebanon, Haiti, the Caribbean, Indian Ocean nations, and the Middle East, creating a unique platform for voices from the Global South.

    Submissions will remain open until midnight on April 27, 2026, with applicants required to submit original, unpublished French-language plays containing at minimum 15 numbered pages. In a notable inclusion policy, the competition also welcomes nationals from eligible countries who have resided in France for less than four years and hold valid residence permits or refugee status, acknowledging complex political circumstances that might otherwise exclude talented writers.

    The selection process will identify approximately twelve shortlisted works based on literary merit, dramatic quality, and creative originality. These finalists will proceed to jury evaluation ahead of the ultimate winner announcement scheduled for September 2026 in Limoges during the ‘Les Zébrures d’automne’ festival organized by ‘Les Francophonies – Des écritures à la scène’.

    Beyond the prestige of the award itself, the RFI Theatre Prize offers comprehensive professional development support including: a creative residency at Villa Saint Louis Ndar in Senegal; a stage development residency at Centre Dramatique National de Normandie-Rouen; financial grant from Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques (SACD); writing residencies in Limoges and Paris through Institut français and Théâtre Ouvert; RFI media promotion and broadcast opportunities; and a public reading during the Avignon Festival’s ‘Ça va, ça va le monde!’ series.

    Prospective applicants must carefully review competition guidelines and thoroughly proofread their submissions before sending completed texts with registration forms to prix.theatre@rfi.fr. Official rules and entry forms are available for download through RFI’s partnered platforms.

  • Haiti is disproportionately suffering the impacts of climate change

    Haiti is disproportionately suffering the impacts of climate change

    At the 124th Special Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in Georgetown, Guyana, Haiti’s Environment Minister Valéry Fils-Aimé delivered a powerful plea for climate justice, highlighting the severe and disproportionate burden his nation bears from global environmental crises. The high-level assembly, which convened environment ministers from across the Caribbean alongside international donors and partner institutions, served as a critical platform to forge a unified regional stance ahead of the pivotal COP31 climate negotiations.

    Minister Fils-Aimé framed climate change not as a distant threat but as an immediate and relentless daily reality for the Haitian populace. He detailed how each climate-related catastrophe poses a direct challenge to survival, systematically eroding the nation’s infrastructure, devastating livelihoods, and severely compromising community security. This constant state of vulnerability, he argued, is profoundly unjust given Haiti’s negligible contribution to global CO2 emissions.

    The minister’s address centered on three core demands essential for building national resilience. First, he advocated for radically simplified and equitable access to international climate finance, arguing that existing mechanisms are often too bureaucratic for the world’s most vulnerable nations. Second, he pushed for the urgent implementation of concrete adaptation measures, specifically championing large-scale reforestation projects, the sustainable management of natural resources, and critical investments in green infrastructure. Finally, his speech was a clarion call for strengthened regional solidarity within CARICOM, emphasizing that a collective voice is paramount in upcoming global forums.

    In his concluding remarks, Fils-Aimé urged member states to rally behind a definitive ‘survival agenda.’ This agenda, focused squarely on adaptation, accessible finance, and climate justice, is designed to ensure Caribbean nations present a powerful, consolidated front in international dialogues, demanding that those who pollute the least are no longer forced to pay the highest price.

  • Petroleum Products – Price Setting, Installation of Advisory Council Members (video)

    Petroleum Products – Price Setting, Installation of Advisory Council Members (video)

    In a strategic response to fluctuating global oil markets, the Haitian government has formally inaugurated a specialized Advisory Council to oversee petroleum product pricing mechanisms. The establishment ceremony, presided over by Economy and Finance Minister Serge Gabriel Collin on March 29, 2026, at the Prime Minister’s Office, marks a significant step toward market stabilization.

    The newly formed council represents a tripartite collaboration between government entities, labor unions, and petroleum industry stakeholders. Its nine-member composition includes three representatives from labor unions (Montès Joseph, Jacques Anderson Desroches, and Méhu Changeux), three government delegates (Vladimyr Monval, Steeve Polycarpe, and Jean Nerva Siméon), and three industry specialists from oil companies and distribution associations (Mildred Noisy, David Turnier, and Jean Jackson Marseille).

    This advisory body assumes critical responsibilities including continuous monitoring of pricing mechanism implementation, rigorous assessment of product quality standards and regulatory compliance, and development of policy recommendations to enhance petroleum market governance. The council is mandated to deliver periodic reports to relevant governmental authorities.

    A cornerstone of the new framework involves a comprehensive pricing structure that transparently incorporates importation costs, tax and duty components, logistical expenses, and reasonable operator profit margins. This approach aims to balance market sustainability with consumer protection.

    During the installation proceedings, Minister Collin and Social Affairs Minister Marc-Élie Nelson jointly emphasized the government’s dual commitment to safeguarding economically vulnerable populations and supporting industries most affected by price fluctuations, particularly within the ongoing humanitarian crisis context. The initiative represents a structured effort to mitigate the impact of international oil price volatility on Haiti’s domestic economy.

  • Actions for the restoration of security in Haiti

    Actions for the restoration of security in Haiti

    Haiti’s escalating security crisis took center stage at the 6th Sectoral Security Roundtable conference this week, where government officials and international partners convened to address rampant gang violence and its devastating societal impacts. Hosted at Port-au-Prince’s Karibe Hotel with support from the United Nations and the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights (CARDH), the high-level gathering focused on establishing a specialized Anti-Gang Force and comprehensive security restoration measures.

    Serge Gabriel Collin, Haiti’s Minister of Economy and Finance, delivered a stark assessment of how insecurity has crippled the nation’s economic foundations and social fabric. He revealed alarming statistics: approximately 5.7 million Haitians now face severe food insecurity while over 1.4 million have been internally displaced due to gang-related violence. The minister attributed poor economic performance directly to the deteriorating security situation, emphasizing that without stability, economic recovery remains impossible.

    Minister Collin outlined the Ministry’s multifaceted approach to combating the crisis through both direct security measures and indirect economic interventions. Key strategies include intensifying efforts against illicit trafficking networks that supply armed groups with narcotics, firearms, and ammunition. The government is strengthening border control operations at ports, airports, and land crossings to disrupt these supply chains. Additionally, financial security measures are being enhanced through aggressive anti-money laundering initiatives and counter-terrorism financing operations.

    Beyond security-focused actions, the Ministry is deploying economic tools to address root causes of instability. These include supporting entrepreneurship programs, creating wealth redistribution mechanisms, and allocating specific budgetary resources to finance ongoing law enforcement operations. Social protection programs are being expanded to reduce inequalities and prevent factors that contribute to instability, representing a comprehensive approach to security restoration.

    Axel Joseph, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, reinforced the government’s unwavering commitment to security restoration, emphasizing that this remains the administration’s top priority. The Organization of American States (OAS) representative advocated for a coordinated, sustainable approach centered on building national capacity rather than relying solely on external interventions.

    Conference participants unanimously concluded that only through concerted, multi-dimensional action can Haiti hope to achieve lasting stability. The consensus emphasized that security restoration must be accompanied by institutional strengthening and economic revitalization to create a sustainable foundation for peace and development.

  • Fuel, in Haiti Beginning of panic among consumers

    Fuel, in Haiti Beginning of panic among consumers

    Port-au-Prince, Haiti – March 28, 2026: A wave of consumer anxiety has swept across Haiti, manifesting in lengthy queues at service stations and a resurgence in the use of jerrycans amid intensifying rumors of imminent fuel shortages and price surges. In a decisive response, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has moved to quell the panic and enforce distribution laws.

    Minister James Monazard issued an official statement categorically denying the existence of a national fuel crisis. ‘No fuel shortage has been observed on the national market,’ the Minister asserted, confirming that petroleum products remain available at official pumps with distribution secured through formally authorized channels.

    The Ministry has enacted a strict prohibition on the sale of fuel outside these legal channels, specifically targeting unauthorized containers like jerrycans. The decree warns that any individuals or entities engaged in such illegal sales will face immediate enforcement actions, including product seizure, closure of offending outlets, and legal prosecution under Haitian law. Relevant authorities, including inspection services and law enforcement agencies, have been instructed to apply a zero-tolerance policy.

    To substantiate its claims and directly counter public rumors, the Ministry conducted a series of inspections on Saturday, March 28th. Teams visited multiple service stations in key areas including Delmas, Tabarre, Pétion-Ville, and the second district of Port-au-Prince. These operations verified the actual presence of fuel, contradicting widespread allegations of a shortage.

    A parallel inspection mission was executed in the Northeast Department, covering the communes of Ouanaminthe, Fort-Liberté, and Trou-du-Nord. Under the supervision of Departmental Director Lesly Théogène and Inspector Egains Joseph, eleven stations were assessed. The survey revealed that the vast majority were adequately stocked; only a single station in Ouanaminthe was found to be out of gasoline. The Ministry acknowledges that while availability is overall acceptable, the situation remains fragile.

    The government is urging public cooperation, encouraging citizens to report any illegal fuel practices to the authorities to help stabilize the market and prevent unnecessary panic.