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Our man in Haiti Tony B reports about the actual situation in Haiti.
Dear Friends,
The year 2021 will be more tumultuous than the previous years. The systematic violation of the constitution by the government will be the basis of such an unprecedented chaotic situation on the political, economic, and social level in the months to come.
Mixed photos to accompany the article.
First, the president's term will end on February 7, 2021, but intentionally the president, during his 4 years in office, had not held any of the elections to replace 1/3 of the senate and his replacement as president. He would intend to extend his tenure by one year to hold elections and change the constitution. The constitution does not give him this right, so the population is furious with him and asks him to leave power unconditionally on February 7, 2021. A whole series of demonstrations strikes and movements have already been announced to force the president to leave at the end of its mandate to replace him with a transitional government whose mission will be to organize presidential, legislative, and municipal elections according to the wishes of the constitution.
To force the president to resign on February 7, the population and the opposition announced strikes and demonstrations this week. It is what we call a locked week, strikes today and yesterday are 100% observed, commerce, school, transport does not work in the cities, but some commercial and school activities work in the provinces. Of the 7 Star of Hope schools, 4 are not affected by the strike and are operating without constraint. The 3 other schools near the city are closed yesterday and today. These schools affected by this strike are Marigot, Boyer, and Rigaud which are located near the city.
Besides the political problem, there is also the problem of the insecurity of armed gangues and bandits who carry out the kidnapping, theft, and criminal activities in all corners of the country without the slightest fear for the police and the justice system of the country. . They even seem to be authorized and protected by the authorities. No one is spared from the crime of gangs and armed bandits who create fear and terror in the streets. It has been reported an average of 160 people per month are victims of kidnapping acts. The kidnappers demand a large sum of money in ransom to free the victims. Victims who cannot pay this amount are killed and thrown into garbage piles. On average, 6 people are kidnapped per day including schoolchildren, children, adults, businessmen, women, and pastors.
Street demonstrations are organized almost every day to protest this situation which disrupts the lives of all, but the government remains powerless.
Due to insecurity, Star of Hope has reduced its inspection and monitoring visits to villages from one visit per month to one visit every two months. We are obliged to distribute digital cameras to all project leaders to take pictures of all subjects related to the development program that we will ask them to report to us when we cannot come to do so.
Despite growing insecurity issues and the political and economic turmoil that threatens us, Star of Hope Schools are functioning well, students attend school every day and benefit from the school education programs that Star of Hope has supported for. them.
Thank you for the continued support of the Star of Hope. The first month of school in 2021 ended well. From an educational standpoint, it has been a good year, but we doubt February will be the same. At the beginning of January 2021, the educational aid provided for in the 2021 budget was paid on time. all school project managers have funds available to operate all school program projects for the 3,500 children of the 7 school projects. They have a monthly meeting at the end of the month to submit expense reports to us and to receive the next monthly support.
Along with this month's financial support, Star of Hope has also already provided enough food for schools to feed 3,500 children for the next 3 months. If the country is locked, the schools will have enough food in stock for 3 months. And if we cant visit the projects, the principals will be able to send us reports and pictures of everything going on in the projects.
The political crisis is currently very hot in Haiti which can lead to chaotic situations. I will keep you informed of the situation when necessary.
Tony
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