MFB Haiti working in food insecurity crisis

As Haiti recently rang in the new year, they paused on January 12 to recognize the 10-year anniversary of the devastating 2010 earthquake. The aftermath of the 7.0 magnitude earthquake was horrifying with government estimates of up to 316,000 lives lost and as many as 5 million Haitians displaced from their homes. Initially, the outpouring of solidarity and support from around the world and the international donor pledges in excess of $10 billion gave many Haitians hope, but that hope was short lived. "A lot of money was spent after the earthquake, but the results are meager," Haitian president Jovenal Moise recently shared in an interview.

And now a decade later, Haitians are losing hope. The country is currently gripped by spiraling inflation and rampant fuel shortages and widespread unrest are stifling what little business existed. Rising prices mean basic supplies are out of the reach most Haitians. It is estimated that 40% of Haiti's 11 million people will face food insecurity by March 2020, and for 1 million Haitians, food insecurity will soon reach emergency levels. Against this backdrop, MFB Haiti division's goal of alleviating suffering by sharing of food with the hungry takes on a heightened urgency.

A sea-container with 200,000 servings of Tender Mercies and other protein-rich foods like black beans arrived in Port au Prince, Haiti on January 21, and an additional sea-container with an estimated 215,000 servings of Tender Mercies and other supplies is set to sail on February 7 for Cap Haitien, Haiti. All of the Tender Mercies and supplemental food products will be distributed through our four Partner ministries in Haiti, providing us assurance that the food will reach children and families/individuals in critical need