In April, our partners at LaChandler Parish in Gros Morne reached out to Quixote Center to ask for emergency assistance to respond to an influx of displaced persons and deported migrants. Deportation flights to Haiti from the United States resumed in April 2024 and continue to this day.
The Dominican Republic is also deporting Haitians at an alarming rate, and there is large-scale displacement from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as the city of Mirebalais, due to gang control and violence. Many of these deportees and displaced persons have sought welcome in Gros-Morne, which has also suffered from gang activity in 3 of its 8 sections. Quixote Center acted swiftly to launch an emergency fundraising campaign to directly support this growing population arriving in Gros-Morne. Gang violence has displaced close to 1.3 million people in Haiti.
Our supporters and community heard this call to action and responded! Thanks to the generosity of over a hundred donors, Quixote Center sent an initial disbursement to the parish in the amount of $15,305, and we will send a second disbursement by the end of this month, designated for the same families. So far, we collectively supported 256 families!
Breakdown of Families Supported:
Our partners report the following use of funds:
· Enter into a trade/start a business;
· Housing/rent;
· Clothing, blankets, and household items;
· School payments for children.
Injecting cash into the Haitian economy is desperately needed and although each family receives a modest amount of money, it does make a big difference in helping them get back on their feet after being forcibly displaced or deported. Our partners are also reporting greater foot traffic to their organization and greater awareness of their benefits to the community.
Thank you for your continued support of and attention to the people of Haiti. The Caritas Chandler Parish and all families impacted also extend their deepest warmth and gratitude for your support.
Because of the extreme need and lack of resources in Haiti, and thanks to the generosity of our donors, we plan to expand this program to reach more families after the next disbursement.
Comments
terence lover (not verified)
Thank you for your efforts to maintain the dignity of the Haitian people. Americans need to become more aware of the extent of the difficulties in Haiti and to steps that they can take correct this situation. One such step is the passage of legislation to curtail arms shipments to Haiti. Actions that can be taken by most Americans is to contact representatives in government to pass laws curtailing the shipment of arms to Haiti, to contact the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to intensify their efforts to curtail arms shipments to Haiti, and to use local and state contacts to make the urgency of protection for Haiti's people more visible. God bless you for your actions and communications. Peace,
Terence Lover
Quixote Center (not verified)
Thank you for your comments and you support for our work. The people of Haiti deserve so much better than a system that facilitates illegal arms shipments from the United States.
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