Sem and Cassie Lafleur are Woodland Hills Covenant Partners and run a ministry in Haiti called Technology Empowerment Research Centre (TERC). Haiti is in the middle of a severe crisis, and we asked Sem to share an update on the situation in Haiti so that we can pray for this country.
Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021, political instability and violence have rocked Haiti. Armed gangs control about 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, including important roads and fuel terminals, and they terrorize the city through rape, torture, killing and kidnappings. Exact numbers are impossible to know, but estimates are that over 3,000 gang-related murders and over 2,000 kidnappings have taken place in the last two years. Urban violence and insecurity have displaced 165,000 people. Despite efforts from the national police, the gangs are more powerful than local forces.
The gangs have also hindered the ability of farmers to transport and sell food, and held up humanitarian assistance. The number of people experiencing emergency levels of food insecurity has grown to 4.9 million – nearly half of the country’s population.
Recent heavy rainfall caused flooding to more than 13,000 homes, killing hundreds and displacing thousands. This was followed by a deadly 4.9 magnitude earthquake. Victims were taken to hospitals, but the healthcare system is also in crisis, facing a resurgence of cholera, and having inadequate resources like electricity and medications.
Tens of thousands of Haitians are fleeing the country, but for those left behind, the situation is dire. Still, Sem shared, “I believe Haiti has not been forgotten by God. I believe that one day, the sun of hope will shine upon Haiti to pour God’s grace and favor on this Nation. I will ask you to pray for us so that God can continue to provide us with what we need to continue to help people stay closer to God.”
Please join us in praying for Haiti. Here are a few prayer points:
- Peace for the country
- Access to aid
- Food distribution channels
- Ministries serving in Haiti, like TERC and COFHED (details below)
- The Church in Haiti to be a source of strength and comfort
- Safety and security for the Haitian students participating in our SEM program
If you would like to support Sem and Cassie and the TERC ministry, visit their website here.
You can also support Woodland Hills missionaries Nick and Madeleine Avignon and their ministry, Communities Organizing for Haitian Engagement and Development (COFHED).
God blessed to Haiti