Haiti (MNN) — Haiti’s gang leaders promised trouble in response to efforts to stop them … and they delivered. The country’s security situation has deteriorated even further this week after an incident at Haiti’s main international airport.
AMG International’s Brian Dennett tells us, “A Spirit Airlines Flight was actually shot at by gangs. They aborted the landing and diverted to the Dominican Republic. There were two other planes also shot at. This has prompted the suspension of all [U.S.] flights into Haiti for at least the next month.”
The airport has been entirely shut down until November 18. The Monday incident has direct impact on aid shipments — and on people, too. AMG’s national director for Haiti was in the U.S. for meetings.
“His flight was actually canceled, and so he is now stuck here indefinitely. So please pray for him,” Dennett says.
Patient consultation at one of AMG International’s healthcare clinics.
(Photo courtesy of AMG International)
One out of every two Haitians is experiencing crisis-level hunger. Food, medicine, gasoline, public transportation, everything has skyrocketed in price. If that weren’t enough, more than 700,000 Haitians also have been displaced — some in a very targeted way.
“Gangs have even removed people from their homes and are occupying [them]. So they’re not just experiencing violence and struggling with purchasing basic supplies and food and so forth — they’re also out of their homes,” Dennett says.
AMG has had a Gospel footprint in Haiti for over 40 years. Their work now includes childcare, Christian schools, medical ministries, and leadership training. In the current crisis, ministry expanded to include food and housing programs. However, the churches are overwhelmed.
“Pray for our brothers and sisters there,” Dennett says. “If people are led to support financially, we can get money there, and we can purchase supplies locally without having to send them in, which is a big issue now, especially with the lack of flights.”
Connect with AMG’s ministry in Haiti here.
Header photo of aerial view of Port-au-prince, capitol of Haiti. (Photo courtesy of David Mark from Pixabay)
