UNDERSTANDING & RESPONDING TO THE CRISIS IN HAITI

Invited Guest List —

1. Senska M Jean: CEO of Womenful Voice, born and raised in Haiti, but currently living in the US.
2. Sadji Michel: Recently left Haiti and used to live in Port-au-Prince amidst the turmoil.
3. Rene Berlindy: A medical doctor currently residing in Haiti but in living in the South
4. Michel Stephanie: PhD student in Port-au-Prince, and President and founder of the Women for Liberty.

Facilitators —

1. Pechuliano Ngwe Ali: Assistant professor of communication, journalism & digital storytelling, University of Wisconsin- Eau Claire
2. George Bamu: Executive Director, Africa Agenda

UNDERSTANDING & RESPONDING TO THE CRISIS IN HAITI

As the Caribbean nation of Haiti faces instability and uncertainty, news about what’s happening has once again led to unprecedented, albeit negative, biased, one-sided coverage by media in the United States and around the world.

A recent Barron’s Report states, “Haiti has suffered years of political instability and crime, and no elections have been held since 2016. The situation has worsened since late February when armed gangs attacked police stations, prisons and government headquarters, and forced the shutdown of the port and airport in a spasm of anti-Henry violence.”

The recent situation follows stalled United Nations-backed negotiations that would have sent an estimated 1000 Kenyan police officers to help bring calm to the country.

An Associated Press (AP) report says, “Scores have been killed, and more than 15,000 are homeless after fleeing neighborhoods raided by gangs. Food and water are dwindling and the main port in the capital of Port-au-Prince remains closed, stranding dozens of containers with critical supplies.”

While Haiti is not alone in facing a crisis of this magnitude, the situation, described in these news stories, appears helpless.

But a larger question remains: What started this current crisis in the first place? What is America's role in the crisis? What are African nations and Africans in the diaspora doing to support their fellow Haitians? How do we respond when turmoil breaks out in a country like Haiti that many of us don’t know much about? Is gang violence, and instability all there is to Haiti?

Please join us as we seek answers and solutions to what is happening in Haiti.

-------

Africa Agenda, a U.S. 501C (3) non-profit, is an international organization working locally and internationally. It builds the capacity to understand, work, and engage with Africa intensively in the Colorado community and, through its websites, in other communities worldwide. Learn more at https://AfricaAgenda.org

Event Venue

Online