Alo! Welcome to the latest edition of Woy Magazine’s weekly newsletter, providing you with must-know news and commentary on Haiti and our Diaspora.
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Welcome to the Archives
Woy Magazine is proud to announce that we’ll soon be launching a new podcast in partnership with the Radio Haiti Archives. Kamarad: Lessons from Radio Haiti will revisit and celebrate the crucial work done by Radio Haiti, and examine, with the help of experts and advocates, what lessons we can pull from it today. Stay tuned!
Violence Begets Displacement
Last week, we mentioned a new report from the RNDHH that reveals that more than 200 people became homeless/housing insecure from previous gang wars and massacres in Bèlè and Site Solèy.
Now, Matisan is struggling under a similar ordeal as a clash between gangs has forced many families to flee their homes and neighborhoods for safety. This violent displacement is even more troubling as the number of COVID-19 cases sharply increase across the country:
Des civils armés liés au caïd Chrisla et d’autres conduits par ‹‹ Ti lapli›› s’affrontent sans répit avec pour but le contrôle de territoire. Des sources rapportent plus d’une dizaine de décès et des blessés considérables à la suite des affrontements.
La circulation automobile sur le Bicentenaire et dans les zones périphériques est au point mort. Des familles menacées d’expulsion de leur maison à Martissant ou affectées par l’exécution d’un proche ont fui leur quartier pour venir s’installer sur la place publique de Fontamara, exposent des séquences virales sur les réseaux sociaux. (Source: Rezo Nòdwes)
The violence led to four departments in Haiti being cut off from the rest of the country as the gangs obstructed many key roads.
COVID Update
The number of coronavirus cases in Haiti continues to spike as the government has called for an extension of last week’s State of Emergency with schools to be closed as early as June 11. Despite the incredible increase in cases, it seems few Haitians are able to practice measures that can help contain the spread of the pandemic:
Les transports en commun sont le secteur où les gestes barrières ne sont pas respectés le plus. Les passagers sont côte à côte ; beaucoup d’entre eux ne portent pas de masque. Un chauffeur avance qu’il ne peut pas réduire le nombre de passagers puisque le prix de l’essence n’a pas baissé. Certains chauffeurs qui assurent le circuit Pétion-Ville/centre-ville ont augmenté de cinq gourdes le prix du trajet afin de réduire le nombre de passagers. (Source: Le Nouvelliste)
This can also be seen in the courthouses as well where few precautionary measures are being taken with even fewer people adhering to them:
Au palais de justice de Port-au-Prince, aucune mesure sanitaire n’est prise pour protéger les justiciables et les fonctionnaires du tribunal et du parquet de ce ressort contre le coronavirus. À l’entrée principale du tribunal, on a déposé deux marmites d’eau sur une traverse en béton. Là encore il faut prêter attention pour les remarquer. Après plusieurs heures d’observation, on peut conclure que personne n'est obligé à se laver les mains dans les seaux mis à disposition du public. (Source: Le Nouvelliste)
This Tracks
It makes sense that regular Haitians would struggle with taking the pandemic seriously given the lack of direction and preparedness from the government. Due to lack of proper medical infrastructure, many Haitians have long assumed that microbes cannot harm nor kill them. In an essay for Woy Magazine last year, Dr. Kenny Moise worked to dispel this myth:
If we are to debunk the myth that microbes do not kill Haitians, let us agree that controlling diseases like smallpox and COVID-19 is not possible if no public measures are being taken to control their spread….
Because contrary to myths and false beliefs, until we can guarantee access to food, education, healthcare and decent means to live, microbes will continue to kill Haitians considerably.
Yet, the regime headed by Jovenel Moïse has done little to educate the populace or enforce precautionary behaviors. On the contrary, during a recent June 1 speech, he claimed that Haiti is one of the few countries in the world that has handled the pandemic well, stating only two strands of the virus are present on the island. You can watch his full speech here.
Yet, according to an alleged whistleblower, the defacto leader has failed to respect any protocols that may save lives and strengthen the national healthcare system:
A Little Help
This latest case of gross mismanagement by the government has some fearing how the distribution of vaccines will take place once they’re available. According to a new announcement by the White House, Haiti is on a list of countries set to receive vaccine dosages from the United States government. This is in addition to the more than 700,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine the country will receive via the United Nations COVAX program:
Les États-Unis en effet vont fournir un « arsenal » de vaccins pour le monde et feront don de 75% de leurs doses excédentaires via une initiative internationale pour les pays dans le besoin, a annoncé jeudi l’administration Biden.
L’administration s’est engagée à faire don d’au moins 80 millions de doses d’ici la fin du mois, en commençant par une première tranche de 25 millions. Parmi ceux-ci, la Maison Blanche a déclaré qu’environ 19 millions iront à COVAX – une initiative mondiale visant à un accès équitable – avec environ 6 millions pour l’Amérique du Sud et centrale, 7 millions pour l’Asie et 5 millions pour l’Afrique. (Source: Rezo Nòdwes)
Additionally, the Pan-American Health Organization also called for additional aid to be provided to Haiti to help the country flatten its curve:
L’Organisation panaméricaine de la santé (OPS) a lancé mercredi un appel à un renforcement urgent de la lutte contre le COVID-19 en Haïti, face à l’augmentation rapide des contaminations et des décès dans le pays des Caraïbes, a rapporté la presse internationale. (Source: Rezo Nòdwes)
A Harsh Light Shines
Meanwhile, the Bishops Conference of Haiti published a new statement this week making clear their opposition to the upcoming referendum, asking for the government to stop placing such a heavy burden on the shoulders of the people as they try to navigate increasing levels of insecurity and instability:
In their message, the bishops write that "in these difficult times in our history as a people, we hear the cries of our brothers and sisters, cries provoked by such terrible evils as the multiplication of heavily armed gangs that make the law and impose their diktats; violence in all its forms; kidnappings; insecurity that prevents free movement on the national territory; criminality; impunity; political instability; the deterioration of state structures; the high cost of living; the Covid-19 pandemic." (Source: Vatican News)
You can read the full text below:
Despite growing opposition, the regime continues to make their rounds in the American media market defending the referendum and other actions. In a new PBS interview with journalist Yamiche Alcindor, Ambassador Bocchit Edmond boldly proclaimed that most of the country is “quite safe” despite the ongoing kidnappings gang violence and economic troubles.
However, appearances from Emmanuela Douyon of Nou Pap Dòmi and other advocates, as well as B-roll footage from earlier protests help to paint a more accurate picture. You can watch the entire segment below:
In his latest piece for the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Jake Johnston tackles just how the international community, despite their recently voiced “apprehensions,” are supporting Jovenel’s blatant power grab:
…both the UN and the OAS are actively providing support for the referendum, despite their public statements of concern.
These two multilateral organizations have provided technical assistance to the commission tasked with drafting the new text since it was formed last fall. The OAS even helped with revisions to the text in an attempt to remove some of the more controversial aspects in the original. The UN, meanwhile, has helped to procure sensitive voting materials for the electoral council overseeing the referendum and has an agreement in place to provide logistics for holding the vote. The UN is also helping to advise the national police on an electoral security strategy.
Podcast Roundup
This week, we’re happy to bring you a couple of podcasts we think you should have queued up.
First up, there’s Koze Kilti Vyòl, a podcast dedicated to discussing sexual violence and female agency in Haiti. In their inaugural episode, the show sat down with university professor Darline Alexis to analyze the ways in which rape is discussed in Haiti removes any accountability from attackers and predators. Professor Alexis also discusses the stigma and shame that comes with the barbs and names used to address and harass victims. Here’s the full episode:
Up next, we have Alaso! a podcast produced by Nègès Mawon chronicling discussions for and by Haitian feminists. In their second episode, the show takes a look into how Haitian universities embrace, record, and conduct research on feminist works and history, as well as the lives and experiences of everyday Haitian women. Listen below:
An Influencer Worth Knowing
If you’re into food accounts run by Haitians, @tchakayiti is definitely an Instagram page worthy of a follow. The woman behind the page, Annick Mégie, sat down with National Geographic last week to discuss her love and take on Haitian food culture:
It’s a fusion of the cultures we’ve come into contact with — French, Indigenous, African and Middle Eastern. Our spicy Haitian cuisine is a labour of love and patience. We spend hours prepping food, which we season heavily with epis, our spice blend, and scotch bonnet. We find every excuse to host extended family dinners.
A Deed Goes Punished
This week, Ayibopost’s Youtube channel was hacked and taken down after they published an explainer video on Jovenel Moïse’s desire to centralize power with the referendum. Now that their page is back up, be sure to check it out:
Also, while you’re at it, also take a few minutes to watch their short documentary on legendary singer Ti Manno (click on the image to view)
Chapo Ba
Lastly, we want to extend a gwo kout chapo for artist and filmmaker Gessica Geneus whose film “Freda” will be screened at the Cannes Film Festival later this year. See you next week, friends!
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