An appropriation of $143,000 from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) is being directed by Brethren Disaster Ministries for a humanitarian response to multiple crises in Haiti. The money will provide emergency food distributions at all the congregations and preaching points of l’Eglise des Freres d’Haiti (the Church of the Brethren in Haiti).

Multiple crises in Haiti are ongoing, including a longstanding economic crisis and very high inflation. Political crises include the assassination of a former president and human rights violations, widespread violence and kidnappings by gangs that have taken over the capital city Port-au-Prince and other areas. Gender-based violence, natural disasters, a cholera outbreak and extreme hunger and food insecurity are also occurring.

Most recent hopeful developments in Haiti include the Transitional Presidential Council sworn in on April 25 to focus on security, a national consultation on constitutional reform, preparing for elections, rebuilding the judiciary system and the economy.

The situation is having a significant negative effect on the church and its members and leadership. Some congregations around the capital have closed, with most of those families displaced to safer parts of Haiti. Some church leaders are in hiding, fearing attacks by the gangs. All fear the violence, especially the women and girls. The unrest prevents normal jobs and limits access to food. Years of economic turmoil have left many people without financial resources, plus most banks in Haiti are closed or destroyed. Adding to the intense stress is the unknown of how long the crisis will last. Most importantly, people are very hungry, and some are beginning to starve.

The most recent EDF grants for Haiti were made in December 2022, when a grant provided rice, beans and cooking oil to 805 of the most at-risk families in communities around the 30 churches and preaching points then in existence. In August 2023,  a grant provided a food distribution to 1,000 families in the same areas.

This year, the Haitian church is requesting support for a larger feeding program for 1,100 families (each ranging from two to 11 people) to receive a 45-day supply of food, with costs adjusted for high inflation. The families will be selected church members and neighbors in need. Discussion and planning are ongoing to consider longer-term solutions and support that will have a greater likelihood of helping families recover from this crisis.

Ilexene Alphonse is the Haiti response coordinator for Brethren Disaster Ministries as well as the country advisor for Global Mission. He also is pastor of Miami (Fla.) Haitian Church of the Brethren.

Brethren Disaster Ministries staff provided information for this report.

This article originally appeared May 4 in the Church of the Brethren Messenger.