Right now, Carlton and I are supposed to be in Haiti. Unfortunately, due to violent political and social protest gripping the country, we have not been able to travel there.

In case you missed the news, protesters have been calling for the resignation of the Haitian President, Jovenal Moise, due to soaring inflation and allegations of corruption as the country faces an 80% unemployment rate. But this is not the kind of protest in which people march peacefully with signs. Cars have been set on fire, businesses looted and protesters have clashed violently with police. Several people have been killed, and people are stranded without gas, without food, without water. Still, the President is resisting pressure to step down.

Last week, Carlton and I spoke to Marc, our Serve the City Haiti leader. (See our previous article about STC Haiti to see some of the work he and his team have been doing in Port-au-Prince.) Marc expressed that while he, his family, and his team are currently safe, he felt that due to the shortages and travel restrictions at this time, we would not be able to accomplish the objectives we had set for our visit, and should cancel or postpone our trip.

Here’s what Marc had to say to our STC community:

“The country is currently facing a political, economic and social crisis.  The country has been in a state of disorder for nearly ten days.

“Such a situation is likely to provoke a serious humanitarian crisis that threatens the already precarious living conditions of children, women, the disabled, the sick and the elderly – all who constitute the categories exposed to great vulnerability in such circumstances.

“L’OPC (Office de la Protection du Citoyen) says that due to the current situation, in various areas of the capital, people do not have access to water, food and medical care. For example, pregnant women are forced to give birth in their homes under difficult conditions. Children from low-income and no-income families are starving in poor neighborhoods all over the country.

“The President’s last speech aggravated protestors. There are riots everywhere – blocking roads – and, as a result, activities are very limited in the capital and various big cities. Me, my family and the other members of STC Haiti are safe.   Although we have supplies, it is unfortunately not the same for many of our neighbors across the city.

“Please join us in prayer for the country of Haiti. Join us in praying for the people of Haiti; for hope, peace, courage and calm. The situation is hard. The hopelessness on the face and in the heart of the people is harder. Please pray for this nation that has already suffered too much from poverty and poor leadership, corruption and all kind of exploitation.”

We ask that you would join us as well in praying for Haiti, and for Marc and the staff and volunteers of STC Haiti as they try to reach out to those most vulnerable in this very difficult time. Carlton and I will also be looking for the means to return in the next several months if possible.