Life for residents in different parts of Haiti has been quite tumultuous over the past year, including for Christians. 

According to Mission Network News (MNN), in the northern part of Haiti, the area of Cap Haitian has been without power for the last year due to fuel shortages. 

People use gas lanterns or candles to light their homes. According to a local ministry called For Haiti with Love, people have fallen asleep with the candle lit and it has started fires. 

The ministry runs a burn clinic in Cap Haitian for people affected, aiming to share the love of God while treating burn wounds. 

"Our donations are down, and buying the burn cream is harder," says Roseline DeHart. "It’s difficult for us to keep going with the burn clinic. But we can’t turn anybody down because they’re hurting. So we just keep going and pray that God provides."

For Haiti with Love keeps its ministry running and has access to power because of solar panels installed five years ago. 

Turmoil in Port-au-Prince

The United Nations Integrated Office is warning people of the gang violence and murder of citizens in Port-au-Prince. 

In a recent report, they said this week a fight between two gang coalitions killed at least 94 residents, wounded over 120 and led to the disappearance of 12 others between April 24 and May 16. Nearly 16,000 people fled their homes to take refuge in make-shift sites or in relatives' homes. 

The increased gang fighting has made it dangerous for vulnerable local communities to live in the unstable Caribbean country.

"Women and children as young as one year old were executed and their bodies burned. Young teenagers, accused of spying for the opposite side, were shot in public spaces. Rape against women and girls, some of whom were less than 10 years old, was used as a weapon to terrorize and take revenge on the local populations living in neighbourhoods controlled by rival gangs."

The Associated Press reported that last Wednesday, communities in downtown Port-au-Prince witnessed heavy gunfire as suspected members of the G9 gang coalition set a transitional church on fire and tried to kill their opponents in an attempt to gain control over more territory from rival gangs.

From July 8 to July 12, at least 234 people were killed or injured in gang-related violence in the Cité Soleil area. 

"The fight against impunity and sexual violence, along with the strengthening of human rights monitoring and reporting, must remain a priority," says OHCHR spokesperson Jeremy Laurence.

According to The Christian Post, gangs have grown more powerful since the July 7, 2021, assassination of President Moïse, as Haiti is struggling in its social and political aftermath. The country is yet to recover from a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that killed more than 2,200 people last August.

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