Welcome to the latest edition of Woy Magazine’s biweekly newsletter, providing you with must-know news and commentary on Haiti and our Diaspora.
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Jou fèy bwa tonbe nan dlo, se pa jou sa li koule A tree branch does not sink the same moment it falls into the water (Haitian Proverb)
CHAY LA | BIG STORY
Haiti’s Battle Against Cholera
Why has cholera returned? In a piece for Woy Magazine, Dr. Keddy Moise discusses the challenges that may have thwarted the victory celebrated back in February of 2022 of eradicating cholera in Haiti.
Moise believes that a combination of political instability, the Covid-19 pandemic as well as economic setbacks compromised the Cholera Surveillance System's functionality. For starters, the ever-present economic challenges of the country were unfortunately coupled with poor leadership and mismanagement.
"COVID-19 was undoubtedly a major public health threat that required a rapid response. An already weak healthcare system had to deal with two major public health threats simultaneously. Staff and funding were moved from one epidemic to the other." (Source: Woy Magazine)
All these factors came together to create conditions ripe for a resurgence of the disease — in a context where large swaths of the population are becoming more and more economically disempowered and where access to clean water, sanitation, and other basic services has long been a concern. In fact, back in May 2020, the World Bank estimated that only about one-third of Haitians had access to basic sanitation.
"The ongoing waves of young people fleeing the country are unsurprising. People in Haiti face stagnant wages, forcing them to leave the public workforce and reducing the state’s ability to maintain motivated disease surveillance teams." (Source: Woy Magazine)
Since the initial reports, there are now 1,972 suspected cases and 14 deaths attributed to cholera, according to the Ministry of Health. Most of the cases have been reported in Site Soley, with children under 14 making up nearly half of suspected cases.
Does this situation make the case for the need for foreign intervention? Responding to cholera was among the reasons cited by Ariel Henry in his request for foreign military intervention. But is it not ironic to turn to the source of cholera in Haiti for aid for cholera? In an article for The Guardian, Doctors Without Borders Head of Mission, Benoît Vasseur, explained that foreign intervention would only further overwhelm an already struggling healthcare system.
”Our immediate reaction, as a medical organisation, is that this means more bullets, more injuries and more patients …We are afraid there will be a lot of bloodshed.” (Source: The Guardian)
POLITIK | POLEMIK
Ayiti, what’s next?
The US’s push for foreign intervention in Haiti has been met with protests in and out of Haiti, condemnation across the press, and concerns both Russia and China raised during the security council. Despite this, the United Nations manage to vote to sanction the G9 gang leader, Jimmy Cherizer (a.k.a Barbeque), and other people who support gang activity (who are these people? We don’t know). The sanctions include a travel ban and assets freeze. Barbecue was the only gang leader named in the resolution put forth by the US and Mexico, this “sanctions regime” also sets the stage for further sanctions down the road.
“A former officer of the Haitian National Police (HNP), Cherizier now leads the “G9 Family and Allies” gang alliance. He is accused of various abuses, including the killing of civilians, dating back to his days with the security forces. The UN resolution said his “gang confederation” is playing a leading role in the ongoing blockade of a major fuel terminal in the capital, Port-au-Prince.” (Source: Aljazeera)
Yesterday, the Haitian Minister of Justice, Berto Dorcé, attempted to travel to Miami but was stopped and informed he needed to get in touch with the US consulate, suggesting that he is on the sanctions list as well. If the U.S. is convinced that members of the current government support gangs, why would the United States also support this government?
Meanwhile, despite protests, the U.S. is searching for a country to lead a military intervention by early November. But what are Haitians doing to address their needs now and beyond? Some political actors have been meeting with Ariel Henry, including PEN, RNDP, PHTK, Accord Louisiane, and allies, with the objective of coming to what they have defined as a historic agreement to lead the country out of this crisis.
The potential agreement is designed to set the stage to reestablish order and security for the free movement of people, an a stable and efficient interim government, the creation of conditions to carry out democratic elections in 18 months, to name a few.
Joint au téléphone par Le Nouvelliste, Liné Balthazar du PHTK a souligné que les discussions, qui continuaient de se dérouler de manière informelle, ont pris une autre tournure après la demande du gouvernement d’une assistance sécuritaire internationale. « Cela a interpellé les responsables politiques. Nous avons donc intensifié les échanges. Et c’est ce qui a débouché sur la publication de cette note. Nous faisons état des discussions en cours depuis un certain temps sur la nécessité de les formaliser afin de déboucher sur un grand compromis pour résoudre la crise politique, économique et sociale », a fait savoir le leader du PHTK. (Source: Le Nouvelliste)
Moise Jean Charles, head of the Pitit Desalin political party, is conversely digging his heels in opposition of any comprise involving Ariel Henry. In a tweet responding to talks between opposition leaders and Henry he said:
« Le peuple n’a donné mandat à personne d’aller négocier l’amnistie pour un criminel qui demande à des forces étrangères de l’aide pour opprimer les manifestants », dénonce-il. (Source: Le Nouvelliste)
The Montana Group is now divided over whether to continue negotiations with Ariel Henry.
INSECURITY CONTINUES
Village Nouailles has suffered yet another attack by armed groups. Village Nouailles is a village of artists who work with wrought iron located in Croix des Bouquets. It includes a workshop of over 70 artists and includes one of the oldest forges run by the Bruno family. The forge has existed since 1802, and it is believed that weapons for the revolutionary war were produced at this forge. Leaders and activists in the cultural and artistic sector have rallied around the village, calling for financial support for the village's artisans. They underscore the need for a plan to rebuild this important cultural, economic and touristic site which has been a beacon of Haitian heritage.
In these conditions, the lives of journalists continue to be in peril. Roberson Alphonse, one of Haiti's most prominent journalists survived an assassination attempt earlier this week. He survived thanks to the heroic actions of an unidentified person who rescued him — applying a tourniquet to stop the bleeding before medics arrived on the scene.
Roberson Alphonse, a journalist with Le Nouvelliste and Radio Majik9, has been very vocal about the PHTK regime, and was among the first to report on the PetroCaribe scandal back in 2015 — even before the movement calling attention to the mismanagement of these funds gained momentum. Journalists and admirers have been expressing their support for Alphonse on social media.
Garry Tess, a journalist with a political talk show in Les Cayes, was not as fortunate. His body was found on Tuesday after he had been missing for several days. No arrests have been made so far.
We pray for a speedy recovery for Alphonse and send our love to the friends and family of both Alphonse and Tess.
KILTIRÈL
Woukoukou, Mikaben
Two weeks ago, at the long-anticipated Carimi reunion concert, Mikaben, a beloved Haitian musician and one of the biggest stars of the Haitian Music Industry, passed away tragically after suffering a fatal heart attack as he exited the stage following a performance.
Mikaben was introduced to the Haitian audience in 1998 through Konkou Chante Nwèl, and went on to collaborate with countless Haitian artists, penning and producing years worth of hits, and earning his place in the hearts of many, and in Haitian musical history. His passing came as a major shock.
This concert was considered a historic event for the Haitian Music Industry— with 15,000 people gathered at the Accor Arena to revel in this momentous occasion. Headliner Carimi, also a mainstay in Haitian Konpa, broke up in 2015 to the dismay of their thousands of fans, and hopes for a reunion tour in 2020 had been squashed by COVID-19.
This night in Paris was meant to be one of celebration and reprieve in the stream of constant bad news from Haiti. Mikaben, the unofficial 4th member of Carimi, who penned two of the group’s biggest hits "Baby I missed you" and "Fanm Sa Move" graced the stage to perform his very first official and well-loved single, "Ou Pati" — a song about a tragic goodbye. We were certainly devastated by this goodbye and send our love and well wishes to his friends and family.
In a piece for Woy Magazine, singer-songwriter, Vanessa Jeudi, commemorated the late Mikaben who left this earth at the age of 41, and will stay in our hearts forever.
"Se te yon konsè ki t ap fè nou konprann gen lavi toujou, nou ka souri, men tou lavi pase l kite dlo nan je nou ak yon Mikaben nou pa gen dwa janm bliye. Mika jwenn zèl, li vole al keyi zetwal nan syèl kouwè yon zwezo men se nou menm ki pa t pare pou sa, mizisyen, fanatik, popilasyon ayisyen an te vle re-viv yon moman zetensèl nan mitan gwo fè nwa sa a ki blayi sou nou an epi kisa nou jwenn se yon zanmi, yon mari, yon kreyatè, yon papa ki pati kite nou pandan rasin te gentan pouse." (Source: Woy Magazine)
Jah & Jahes love. Thanks again for another great issue of Woy Magazine. I enjoy reading your articles and I learn so much. I am also moved by the care and attention to detail and move to report events accurately. I still wish that there was more news about local issues that affect my life in New York City. For instance, elections are happening in states where people of Ayiti descent have formed enclaves. I am referring to New York State, Florida, and Georgia where the campaigns for Governor, Senate, and even local offices will directly impact the daily lives of Haitian people in the U.S. We also have to highlight how these political leaders will make decisions that have serious consequences for folks in Ayiti and especially for migrants. ( I paid the membership fee a few months ago, and I will start a new subscription soon-by the next issue!) Blessed love.#1804 #Ayiti #ToutMounSeMoun #HousingfortheHomelessNow #AbolishCPS #DefundFosterCare #ProChoice