‍MORE THAN 481,200 GALLONS OF WATER DELIVERED.

‍Updated 9/15/2025.

HRI is responding to a massive humanitarian crisis in Haiti. By mid-2025, nearly 1.3 million people have been internally displaced—an unprecedented record—primarily due to escalating gang violence and insecurity. The scale of unrest and forced displacement, especially in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, is without precedent in the country’s history.

Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, gang violence has surged, leaving the capital almost entirely under their control—an estimated 85% according to the UN. The result is widespread fear, instability, and unimaginable suffering for ordinary families. This displacement crisis is now the largest caused by political upheaval in Haiti’s history.

Most organizations have paused activities in PAP over the past two years due to the high degree of insecurity and risk. However, HRI ramped up our support for the victims of this needless violence, in addition to our ongoing, increasingly critical work to ensure children living in orphanages have sufficient food and water, and medical care.

In 2024 alone, HRI provided the following services in four camp sites for displaced persons: 

This work continued in 2025.

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‍WHAT HRI IS DOING TO SUPPORT VICTIMS IN PORT-AU-PRINCE

Our WASH expert and other team members are saving lives by repairing toilets, installing massive water tanks, and providing regular water distributions to serve thousands of people living in eight camps for displaced persons. HRI has provided more than 481,200 gallons of water since 2024. We have also distributed many handwashing stations and are leading trainings on how to avoid illnesses, particularly cholera, during these times of great shortages of food and water. In addition, our team is providing hygiene kits, tarps and medical support to the most vulnerable including single mothers with young children and elderly.

Our team remains vigilant, as we continue to respond to the greatest needs despite the risks and crises we face. Sadly, communication is unreliable as many lines have been cut, but our staff are troopers! They are working in the field and at the office in spite of the fact that the population has been told to shelter in place.

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HRI's WORK WITH CHILDREN IN ORPHANAGES‍

We are in regular contact with a dozen orphanages we support, whenever phone lines are accessible. We have been successfully ensuring no child goes without food or clean water, although even this is becoming more and more challenging with the shortages of food and water. We also expanded our psychosocial support program to counsel the children and advise the staff on how to protect their mental health during this time.

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HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. PRAY: For an end to the violence. For sustainable solutions. For the safety of our team and those we serve.
   
2. GIVE: We desperately need to increase the amount of water and medical supplies at the four campsites for displaced persons. We also need to provide additional food, water and fuel used for cooking provided to nearly 500 orphans in 13 orphanages in case the city runs out completely.

Please join us as we continue to respond to help the children and women most in need!

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Rachel Zelon, Founder

Jennifer Jones, CEO

P.S. Watch interview on KOCO News 5.