D060 Support For a Solution to the Crisis in Haiti

Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring,

That the Episcopal Church laments the current situation in Haiti resulting in an environment of political chaos, insecurity and fear for many Haitians; and be it further

Resolved, That Episcopal Church work to support a solution to the crisis Haiti that includes:

  • Supporting an UN-authorized security mission with all necessary human rights safeguards, while addressing political drivers of insecurity and working to support democratic norms;
  • Restarting a transitional government clearly focused on supporting democratic norms and ensuring trusted elections, while respecting Haitian sovereignty;
  • Stabilization of mechanisms for basic necessities, such as food, water, fuel, healthcare and the opening of airports;
  • Encouraging international humanitarian support to help fund both basic necessities and recovery;
  • Assist Haiti in rebuilding its justice system, in a rights-respecting way;
  • Advocating to genuinely engage and heed the voices of Haitians, who are suffering from food and healthcare insecurity, gang violence and human rights threats;
  • Work towards the elimination of gang violence, and arms and drug trafficking;

And be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church work with the clergy of Haiti to bring a Bishop’s presence to Haiti; and be it further

Resolved, That the Episcopal Church stands with the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti through prayer and listening, to support them and assist in their needs.

Explanation

The Diocese of Haiti is the largest Diocese of The Episcopal Church. Yet, many of us are not aware of the depth of the crisis occurring there. Gangs have taken over much of the country. With gang violence, there is arms and drug trafficking, murder, sexual violence and chaos. They closed the airports for a period of time. Episcopal clergy have been kidnapped. There is still no plan for a Bishop to be elected or chosen.

Between January and mid-March 2024, criminal groups killed nearly 1,500 people not involved in the violence and injured 800 others, according to the United Nations. Approximately 360,000 people have been internally displaced throughout the country. Nearly half of Haitians are food insecure, and 1.4 million Haitians are at risk of famine according to the UN World Food Programme (WFP).

Haiti needs to stabilize and rebuild. They must restart a transitional government. The Episcopal Church needs to be able to speak to these issues. Haiti must know that they are not forgotten by their sibling dioceses, and we support their efforts to bring the rule of law back to Haiti.