Haiti – LACCOM

SPRING 2021

Governance and the Rule of Law

**The National Palace of Haiti.**

“Poorly Placed Palace” by kmjansen is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.

Haiti is in the midst of a constitutional crisis, as President Jovenel Moïse rules by decree and has challenged judicial oversight. Corruption, limitations on the freedom of expression, and impunity for armed groups have presented challenges to Haiti’s management of the COVID-19 crisis. Protests and demonstrations have continued to surge as of March 2021 amid rampant vaccination concerns, calling for the President’s resignation. The conflict does not seem to be going away as the country prepares for the 2021 election year where they will vote on a new constitution in June and hold national elections in September.

Haiti, facing a prolonged crisis, is preparing for the biggest shake-up of government seen in decades with a constitutional referendum and national elections which are slated for this year. Despite the lack of popular support for current President Moïse, most Haitians agree with the current government that there is a need for a new constitution. The referendum is scheduled for June of this year.
President Moïse has appointed a new prime minister in the wake of the resignation of former Prime Minister Joseph Jouthe who had only taken up the post in March of 2020.
The debate surrounding the Constitution Referendum centers around a need to restructure the Hatian government which currently divides executive powers between the president and prime minister which has led to a lot of friction and a lack of consensus and action in the country. President Moïse’s government’s plan for the new constitution would expand presidential powers (including impunity for the president) and eliminate the role of the prime minister and replace it with a vice presidential position.
As of April of 2021, Haiti continues to not have a single vaccine to offer its more than 11 million citizens. So far, Haiti is slated to receive only 756,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine through a United Nations program aimed at ensuring the neediest countries get COVID-19 shots. The free doses were scheduled to arrive in May at the latest, but delays are expected because Haiti missed a deadline and the key Indian manufacturer is now prioritizing an increase in domestic demand.
Haitian protesters are calling for President Moïse to resign amid growing discontent from human rights violations and the COVID-19 pandemic. Buildings and businesses throughout the country have been destroyed and over 200 lives have been lost.
President Moïse alleged in early 2021 that there has been a coup attempt to kill and overthrow him and his government.
An elected parliament has not been established, meaning that all of President Moïse’s measures take hold without expected ratification, raising questions about transparency.
Government distrust and conspiracy theories have risen as the country lags behind in vaccine rollout.
The United States and The Bahamas have increased the deportation of Haitians, raising COVID-19 concerns for Haiti as it receives unexpected numbers of repatriated citizens.
Human rights groups have reported targeted arrests against journalists for breaking curfew. Passes originally provided by the Ministry of Culture and Communication to break curfew were not accepted by police upon arrests.
Concerns over the suppression of freedom of expression and assembly have been raised, as protests during the pandemic have been broken up with tear gas by the National Police.
Hospitals were considered to be unprepared for the onset of the virus, as the distribution of protective equipment has been inconsistent across public facilities. Insufficient testing abilities means that positive cases are likely underreported.
Medical centers furnished by private organizations tend to have sufficient equipment, although concerns have been raised over the privatization of medical services throughout Haiti.
The phrase, “Where is the Corona Money?” has been circulated by citizens to express their distrust in government and fears of corrupt spending of funds received from multilaterals and non-governmental organizations.
Haiti has received medical supplies from France and the United Kingdom, as well as the assistance of over 300 Cuban doctors.

See Select Resources for Governance and the Rule of Law

Growth and Innovation

**Women working in a Haitian garment factory.**

“Haiti 33” by ILO PHOTOS NEWS is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Major contributors to Haiti’s gross domestic product (GDP)—remittances and the export of textiles—have declined as a result of the pandemic’s effect on the global economy. The Haitian gourde is continuously devalued against the U.S. dollar, exacerbating already negative effects caused by the domestic economic downturn.

Haitian students and their supporters have protested the economic crisis driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of a student in a past demonstration by blocking streets and burning cars.
Monetary policy such as increasing credit lines and reconfiguring loan repayments are seen by many to have a limited effect on the lives of most Haitians.
Inflation of the Haitian gourde has risen to as high as 137G/1USD, meaning that prices across the country (especially imported goods) have increased for Haitians.
Remittances account for roughly 35% of Haitian GDP, yet they have declined by 18% as of March. Consumer demand is expected to be affected, as well.
Textile goods produced in Haiti typically serve as significant exports. As textile factories were closed for four weeks and now operate at limited capacity, contributions to GDP from this sector will shrink.
Upon reopening, the garment industry collectively donated 1 million masks to the Haitian government. This prompted the government to submit purchase orders for 20 million additional masks.
Drops in oil prices may offset some of the decline in GDP, as 19.2% of Haiti’s imports are accounted for by oil.
The World Bank has pledged $20 million to support emergency preparedness and response capacity in the Haitian health sector.
Haiti’s export revenue could decline by as much as $600 million by the end of 2020.
Despite a lack of electricity due to the pandemic, Hatian students graduating from a data processing program are analyzing Haiti’s health system as part of their graduation projects.

See Select Resources for Growth and Innovation

Social and Cultural Inclusion

**The border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.**

“River Crossing” by Billtacular is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

Widespread stigma and public doubt regarding the virus’s existence has presented challenges to testing and treatment. The lack of clean water for many, as well as increased deportations, have presented further complications and opportunities for innovation.

The United Nations predicted in March of 2021 that over 40 percent of the Hatian population will require emergency assistance in 2021 as food shortages, political turmoil, and the pandemic rage on. The European Commission has announced that it will give €17 million in humanitarian aid to address the needs of the most vulnerable in Haiti and the Caribbean, which have been worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Haiti held annual Carnival celebrations in 2021 despite warnings from healthcare officials, causing a backlash from nearby countries.
Capracare, a non-profit organization based in Haiti, has advocated the minimization of healthcare discrepancies in schools and communities to ensure that all families and communities have complete access to healthcare services,professional development, and education.
Stigmatization of the virus has caused swathes of the population to avoid testing centers and ostracize neighbors who have tested positive. Stigma is often perpetuated by religious leaders.
Due to difficulties with transportation and lack of access to supplies, women and girls with disabilities are seen to be disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
Women and girls confined at home have experienced increased intimate partner violence, levels of stress, and household duties.
The Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES) claims to have distributed 500,000 food kits to vulnerable populations on behalf of the Haitian government, as of June 30.
More than 50% of Haitians do not have access to clean drinking water, thus straining the implementation of sanitary measures. Both the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have helped to install sanitation stations throughout the country.
The Carribean Community (CARICOM) has provided materials to assist in mitigating the virus in Haiti’s overcrowded prisons. Though some detainees have been released, only 2.6% have been women.
Roughly 150,000 Haitians in the Dominican Republic have lost their temporary legal status during the pandemic and have self-deported themselves across the closed border. Unofficial movement between the two countries continues.
More than 500 Haitians detained in the United States have been deported to Haiti since the beginning of the pandemic. Some of these individuals have tested positive for COVID-19.

See Select Resources for Social and Cultural Inclusion

SPRING/FALL 2020

Governance and Rule of Law

Haiti is in the midst of a constitutional crisis, as President Jovenel Moïse rules by decree. Corruption, limitations on the freedom of expression, and impunity for armed groups have presented challenges to Haiti’s management of the COVID-19 crisis.

An elected parliament has not been established, meaning that all of President Moïse’s measures take hold without expected ratification, raising questions about transparency.
Although President Moïse called for parliamentary elections in May, a lacking electoral budget and public health concerns surrounding COVID-19 have further delayed the vote.
Human rights groups have reported targeted arrests against journalists for breaking curfew. Passes originally provided by the Ministry of Culture and Communication to break curfew were not accepted by police upon arrests.
Concerns over the suppression of freedom of expression and assembly have been raised, as protests during the pandemic have been broken up with tear gas by the National Police.
Hospitals were considered to be unprepared for the onset of the virus, as the distribution of protective equipment has been inconsistent across public facilities. Insufficient testing abilities means that positive cases are likely underreported.
Medical centers furnished by private organizations tend to have sufficient equipment, although concerns have been raised over the privatization of medical services throughout Haiti.
The phrase, “Where is the Corona Money?” has been circulated by citizens to express their distrust in government and fears of corrupt spending of funds received from multilaterals and non-governmental organizations.
Over 500 detainees have been released from Haitian prisons as of April; however this only represents 4.61% of the prison population. Issues of arbitrary detention and extended sentences have been highlighted.
Haiti has received medical supplies from France and the United Kingdom, as well as the assistance of over 300 Cuban doctors.
President Moïse sought to release 415 detainees, many seen to be controversial with heavy sentences. Prime Minister Jouthe blocked the decision on July 1, 2020.

Growth and Innovation

Monetary policy such as increasing credit lines and reconfiguring loan repayments are seen by many to have a limited effect on the lives of most Haitians.
Inflation of the Haitian gourde has risen to as high as 137G/1USD, meaning that prices across the country (especially imported goods) have increased for Haitians.
Remittances account for roughly 35% of Haitian GDP, yet they have declined by 18% as of March. Consumer demand is expected to be affected, as well.
Textile goods produced in Haiti typically serve as significant exports. As textile factories were closed for four weeks and now operate at limited capacity, contributions to GDP from this sector will shrink.
Upon reopening, the garment industry collectively donated 1 million masks to the Haitian government. This prompted the government to submit purchase orders for 20 million additional masks.
Drops in oil prices may offset some of the decline in GDP, as 19.2% of Haiti’s imports are accounted for by oil.
The World Bank has pledged $20 million to support emergency preparedness and response capacity in the Haitian health sector.
Haiti’s export revenue could decline by as much as $600 million by the end of 2020.

Social and Cultural Inclusion

Stigmatization of the virus has caused swathes of the population to avoid testing centers and ostracize neighbors who have tested positive. Stigma is often perpetuated by religious leaders.
Due to difficulties with transportation and lack of access to supplies, women and girls with disabilities are seen to be disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
Women and girls confined at home have experienced increased intimate partner violence, levels of stress, and household duties.
The Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES) claims to have distributed 500,000 food kits to vulnerable populations on behalf of the Haitian government, as of June 30.
Fears of insufficient hygienic measures took hold when 30% of garment workers returned to work after 4 weeks. Workers claim to not have received the 50% of their salary guaranteed by the government.
More than 50% of Haitians do not have access to clean drinking water, thus straining the implementation of sanitary measures. Both the World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have helped to install sanitation stations throughout the country.
Drought and increased food prices, as well as job losses from the pandemic, are expected to aggravate food insecurity, particularly for vulnerable populations into 2021.
The Carribean Community (CARICOM) has provided materials to assist in mitigating the virus in Haiti’s overcrowded prisons. Though some detainees have been released, only 2.6% have been women.
Roughly 150,000 Haitians in the Dominican Republic have lost their temporary legal status during the pandemic and have self-deported themselves across the closed border. Unofficial movement between the two countries continues.
More than 500 Haitians detained in the United States have been deported to Haiti since the beginning of the pandemic. Some of these individuals have tested positive for COVID-19.

Select resources for Haiti:

Governance and the Rule of Law:

Abi-Habib, M. (2021, March 25). A Go-It-Alone President Wants to Reshape Haiti, Some are Skeptical. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/25/world/americas/haiti-jovenel-moise-constitution.html.

Bureau des Droits Humains en Haïti (BDHH). (2020, June 19). English version of Me Jacques Letang’s statement before the Security Council. https://bdhhaiti.org/archives/495.

Fauriol, Georges A. (2020, July 1). Haiti 2020: A Long, Hot Summer. Center for Strategic and International Studies. https://www.csis.org/analysis/haiti-2020-long-hot-summer.

Inter-American Dialogue. (2020, August 4). Haiti and Covid-19 – Analysis and Solutions [Webinar]. https://www.thedialogue.org/events/haiti-and-covid-19-analysis-and-solutions/.

Johnston, J. & Paulemon, K. (2020, March 27). COVID-19 in Haiti—Current Response and Challenges. Center for Economic and Policy Research. https://cepr.net/covid-19-in-haiti-the-current-response-and-challenges/.

Lumarque, J. (Ed.) (2020, June). Haïti et le COVID-19. Des Outils Pour Comprendre et Agir: Ouvrage Collectif. Université Quisqueya. https://uniq.edu.ht/upload/inside_articles_document/9189_ha%c3%afti-et-le-covid-19-des-outils-pour-comprendre-et-agir-universit%c3%a9-quisqueya5.pdf.

Marsh, S. (2020, November 12). Cuba leads race for Latin American coronavirus vaccine. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-vaccine-cuba-focus/cuba-leads-race-for-latin-american-coronavirus-vaccine-idUSKBN27S1OX.

Morrison, J.S. & Pape, W. (2020, June). Coronavirus Crisis Update: Haiti’s Perfect Storm [Podcast]. Center for Strategic and International Studies. https://www.csis.org/podcasts/take-directed/coronavirus-crisis-update-haitis-perfect-storm.

Obert, Jessica. (2021, March 16). In crisis-hit Haiti, rampant distrust of government is driving vaccine hesitancy. The New Humanitarian. https://www.thenewhumanitarian.org/news-feature/2021/3/16/how-haitis-political-crisis-is-fanning-vaccine-fears.

Pan American Health Organization. (2020, May 5). PAHO Director calls on each country to analyze trends of the pandemic before relaxing social distancing measures. https://www.paho.org/en/news/5-5-2020-paho-director-calls-each-country-analyze-trends-pandemic-relaxing-social-distancing.

Regan, J. (2020, June 9). Behind the Covid Numbers in Haiti. North American Congress on Latin America (NACLA). https://nacla.org/news/2020/06/09/behind-covid-numbers-haiti.

Réseau National de Défense des Droits Humains (RNDDH). (2020, May 5). Rapport du RNDDH sur l’évolution de la situation des droits humains en Haïti dans le contexte du Covid-19. https://pfhs.ch/nouv/mai_20/20.05.05%20RNDDH%20Situation%20DdH%20et%20Covid19.pdf.

————. (2020, June 29). Dispersion D’un Sit-In Devant Le Ministère De La Justice Et De La Sécurité Publique: Le RNDDH Condamne L’usage Abusif De La Force Par Les Agents De La PNH. https://web.rnddh.org/dispersion-dun-sit-in-devant-le-ministere-de-la-justice-et-de-la-securite-publique-le-rnddh-condamne-lusage-abusif-de-la-force-par-les-agents-de-la-pnh/.

Sanon, E. (2021, February 2). Haiti’s president alleges coup conspiracy, says 20 arrested. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/pandemics-port-au-prince-coronavirus-pandemic-arrests-conspiracy-c46da963c82108c28ac6083435efd36f.

Sanon, E. & Coto, D. (2021, April 8). A year after pandemic, Haiti awaits vaccines amid apathy. ABC News. https://abcnews.go.com/Health/wireStory/correction-virus-outbreak-haiti-story-76924284.

Sénat, J.D. (2020, July 2). Grâce présidentielle : Jouthe suspend, Délile sanctionne, des organismes se dédouanent. Le Nouvelliste. https://lenouvelliste.com/article/218117/grace-presidentielle-jouthe-suspend-delile-sanctionne-des-organismes-se-dedouanent.

The Philadelphia Tribune. (2021, February 12). Caribbean Currents: Protesters in Haiti demand president resign. https://www.phillytrib.com/commentary/caribbean-currents-protesters-in-haiti-demand-president-resign/article_0b3fb6a3-eaee-5dec-a219-fe7d4c347cf9.html.

Growth and Innovation:

Cela, T. & Marcelin, L.H. (2020, May 29). Haitian Families and Loss of Remittances During the COVID-19 Pandemic. OECD Development Matters. https://oecd-development-matters.org/2020/05/29/haitian-families-and-loss-of-remittances-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/.

The Haitian Times. (2020, October 7). Haiti hack: How students passed data science program despite country’s challenges. https://haitiantimes.com/2020/10/06/haiti-hack-how-students-passed-data-science-program-despite-countrys-challenges.

Inter-American Development Bank. (2020, April 6). El impacto del COVID-19 en las economías de la región (Centroamérica). https://publications.iadb.org/publications/spanish/document/El_impacto_del_COVID-19_en_las_econom%C3%ADas_de_la_regi%C3%B3n_Centroam%C3%A9rica.pdf.

Sanon, E. (2020, October 5). 1 killed as Hatians college students protest earlier death. The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/1-killed-as-haitian-college-students-protest-earlier-death/2020/10/05/f9335f5c-0755-11eb-8719-0df159d14794_story.html.

World Bank. (2020, June 29). World Bank Supports COVID-19 Response and Increased Resilience to Health Shocks and Natural Hazards in Haiti. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2020/06/29/world-bank-supports-covid-19-response-and-increased-resilience-to-health-shocks-and-natural-hazards-in-haiti.

Social and Cultural Inclusion:

Borgen Magazine (2020, September 30). Capracare is fighting COVID-19 in Haiti. https://www.borgenmagazine.com/capracare-is-fighting-covid-19/.

Charles, J. (2021, February 16). In Haiti, Carnival celebration goes on despite COVID-19. Nearby Bahamas isn’t happy. Miami Herald. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/world/americas/haiti/article249283670.html.

Connell, Tula. (2020, April 24). Back at Work, Haiti Garment Workers Risk COVID-19. Solidarity Center. https://www.solidaritycenter.org/back-at-work-haiti-garment-workers-risk-covid-19/.

Doctors Without Borders. (2020, July 6). Haiti: Between denial and fears of COVID-19; health promotion on the front line. https://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/what-we-do/news-stories/story/haiti-between-denial-and-fears-about-covid-19-health-promotion-front.

Famine Early Warning Systems Network. (2020, June). Détérioration des conditions de sécurité alimentaire en marge de la sécheresse et de COVID-19. https://fews.net/node/23899.

Fonds d’Assistance Economique et Sociale. (2020, June 30). Le FAES et ses réalisations accentuées sur la Covid-19. [Image attached [Status update]. Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/faes.gouv.ht/photos/a.610652475689510/3110579502363449/?type=3&theater.

Fortin, Olriche. (2020, June 4). Forced return migration to Haiti during the COVID-19 pandemic. UKRI GCRF South-South Migration, Inequality and Development Hub (MIDEQ). https://www.mideq.org/en/about-us/.

Johnston, J. (2020, May 5). The US Has Been Exporting COVID-19 to Haiti; Now, It Is Returning a Death Squad Leader. Center for Economic Policy and Research. https://cepr.net/the-us-has-been-exporting-covid-19-to-haiti-now-it-is-returning-a-death-squad-leader/.

Lemaire, Sandra. (2021, March 12). Haiti’s Humanitarian Needs Remain ‘Disturbingly High,’ UN Official Warns. VOA. https://www.voanews.com/americas/haitis-humanitarian-needs-remain-disturbingly-high-un-official-warns.

Morgan, K. (2020, June 8). COVID-19 in Haiti Prisons: CARICOM IMPACS and the United Kingdom Taking Urgent Measures to Control the Spread. CARICOM Today. https://today.caricom.org/2020/06/04/covid-19-in-haiti-prisons-caricom-impacs-and-the-united-kingdom-taking-urgent-measures-to-control-the-spread/.

Partners in Health. (2020, May 29). Testing for COVID-19 Along the Haitian-Dominican Border. https://www.pih.org/article/testing-covid-19-along-haiti-dominican-republic-border.

————. (2020, June 3). Mental, Emotional Toll of COVID-19 on Haitian Teen Girls and Young Women. https://www.pih.org/article/mental-emotional-toll-covid-19-haitian-teen-girls-and-young-women.

Perez Monforte, S.. (2020, April 6). Manos a la obra contra el coronavirus en Haití. Inter-American Development Bank. https://blogs.iadb.org/agua/es/coronavirus-en-haiti/.

Réseau des Blogueurs d’Haïti. (n.d.). Listed Cases of COVID-19 in Haiti. https://www.coronahaiti.org/.

Rouzier, Vanessa and Liautaud, Bernard. (2020, July 2). Facing the Monster in Haiti. The New England Journal of Medicine, 383:e4. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2021362.

United Nations Environment Programme. (2020, July 8). Supporting Haiti’s COVID-19 Response. https://www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/story/supporting-haitis-covid-19-response.

United Nations Women. (2020, May 18). Take five: As Haiti battles COVID-19, services to protect women and girls with disabilities are critical. https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/5/take-five-emanuela-paul-on-covid-19.

World Bank. (2020, May 29). As Haiti Braces for the COVID-19 Pandemic, Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Are More Important Than Ever. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2020/05/29/as-haiti-braces-for-the-covid-19-pandemic-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-are-more-important-than-ever.