Children beaten after a football match turned violent, a woman accused of witchcraft and murdered, a person killed while traveling from one village to another — these are just a few of the stories of Haitians suffering under gang violence.

Death or attack feel unpredictable in the country, leaving many anxious to survive.

Though gangs were partially pushed from Port-au-Prince, their violence has spread to the outskirts and rural areas. Roseline DeHart from For Haiti With Love said, “Lives are getting harder every day. Things are very hard right now in Haiti, and Haiti needs help from its neighbors.”

Aerial view of Port-au-Prince (Photo courtesy of Matteo Favre via Pexels)

Since July, more than 1,200 people have been killed in gang attacks, self-defense retaliation, and army operations. Over 700 were wounded. On top of that, sexual abuse and kidnappings are widespread. Victims of the gangs are often chosen at random, including children.

DeHart added, “We need other countries to realize that Haiti needs help, to come and help Haiti.”

For Haiti With Love continue their work of Gospel in Haiti, helping those displaced, local communities, children, and more. They are also preparing a Christmas celebration for hundreds of kids with hot meals, toys, and the Gospel.

DeHart says, “We want to help as many as we can, but so many people have moved into the Cap-Haïtien area, and there are street kids everywhere. It’s become overwhelming, and we’re doing the best we can with what we have.”

Among their ministries is a free burn clinic. After patients are treated and reach for their wallets, staff tell them Jesus has already paid the cost. DeHart explained, “That’s when they break out crying and want to know who this Jesus is. And then we tell them about Jesus!”

The overwhelming need for help opens doors for prayer and giving. Find your place in the story: join the spiritual battle for the people of Haiti, and if you want to help in practical ways, visit the For Haiti With Love website.

Man standing on the mountain, Haiti (Photo courtesy of Kelly via Pexels).

In October, Haitian officials declared that plans for 2026 general elections will have to be delayed due to expanding gang power. 

“It’s not a surprise that elections get delayed. It’s something that we’ve seen a number of times over the last couple of decades,” says Kate Michel with Radio-TV 4VEH, a ministry partner of Trans World Radio. 

Michel says that with more than 10% of Haiti’s 12 million people displaced, “just thinking of the logistics of how elections could be held, it’s hard to see how they could be run fairly and safely.” 

Meanwhile, life in Cap Haitien in northern Haiti is congested. Many people have fled there, away from gang violence. Michel says there’s an underlying fear that gangs in central Haiti will carry out their threats to come north. It’s one more factor that makes the gospel-centered broadcasts from 4VEH even more important for Haitians.

A Haitian woman sits in the tent encampment set up in Place Boyer, in Pétion-Ville, Haiti. (Photo courtesy of IMB)

The prayer support and biblical foundations of 4VEH’s programming remind listeners “that they have a solid foundation to stand on, and that is the Word of God and His promises, and those things that we can hold fast to,” says Michel.

Find your place in Haiti’s story

In all the turmoil, remember that Haiti is no different from other nations in its need for God’s mercy and grace to move forward.

Please pray for fair elections in Haiti next year that will build stability. Pray also for 4VEH, as it is dealing with some broken equipment and rising costs. 

“There are some people who would normally be connected to 4VEH who are not able to get those broadcasts. So we really would value the prayer to get those pieces of equipment fixed so that people can hear the programs again,” says Michel.

“We’ve seen inflation go up dramatically, and that has an impact on all of the day-to-day operations. Pray that the Lord will meet those needs so that we don’t have to cut any of the ministry that we offer.” 

Header photo courtesy of 4VEH.

Gang violence, malnutrition, and loss of educational services and infrastructure feed into each other, forming a “polycrisis” that threatens Haiti’s Next Generation.

(Photo courtesy of Zach Vessels via Unsplash)

A lack of schooling makes kids especially vulnerable to danger. Even when people flee to areas where there are schools, “They don’t have the money, because all they took with them is the clothes on their backs,” For Haiti With Love’s Roseline DeHart explains.

“Surviving is a priority.”

Many displaced families and kids live on the streets. “This is also a problem,” De Hart says, “because anybody can give those kids money to go do any trouble – anything they want them to do – just for survival.”

For Haiti With Love points the people they serve to God and to hope in Him for their future. When they have the budget, they give food, build homes, and offer a school support program.

“We always tell them that God doesn’t want them to live like that. Even though the country is the way it is, it’s not God’s plan,” De Hart says.

“They’re the future of Haiti. They can go to school and make it better, and God has a plan for them.”

Pray for God’s mercy on Haiti and consider giving financially to For Haiti With Love. “We just keep doing all we can, and we ask for support so we can continue to do it,” De Hart says.

Header image depicts Haitian children circa 2014. Photo credit MNN/Katey Hearth. 

“I can see where, if a gang is willing to help take care of children, maybe even giving them food, that kind of thing, that would be a draw for them to join a gang,” said Yoder. “I don’t think of young children. I think of young teenage boys, especially, that I know in Port-au-Prince that I’ve got a concern about, just because that could be a draw, being able to help themselves or help their families by joining the gang.”

As much as 90 percent of Port-au-Prince is under gang influence, according to previous UN reports, resulting in blocked roads, limited public services, rapidly increasing costs for essential supplies, as well as many Haitians fleeing their homes.

Amidst the unrest and economic insecurity, CWO works with in-country leadership and staff to understand and address the emotional, spiritual, and educational needs of Haitians. Their main purpose is reaching families with the gospel, says Yoder.

“We just pray that God will speak to these children and their families as they go through this difficult time, and that the gospel takes hold with people. We’re seeing ministry continue on, not in every place where we’ve been in the past, because people have completely left one of the towns where we had a feminine training center, but in Port-au-Prince, in other places, we’re seeing ministry go on with our churches and the feminine training center and the feeding program.”

Yoder asks fellow Christians to pray for CWO’s staff and ministry, as well as for divine intervention.

“Just pray that somehow God will intervene and things will change in Haiti to where people can be reached for the gospel. Pray for safety of our staff as they continue on their continuing ministry, despite the difficult situation they’re in. And if they want to give, it would be great to have new donors join in and support the ministry as we continue on.”

Header photo courtesy of Christian World Outreach.

Christian World Outreach’s (CWO) Greg Yoder says, “First of all, we thank God that these people that were kidnapped have been released, and [we are] just grateful that their lives were spared – others have not been.”

Their safe return brings relief, but it also highlights the ongoing instability gripping the nation, fueled by gang violence and targeted kidnappings.

Children’s feeding program by CWO in Haiti. (Photo courtesy of Christian World Outreach)

Around 1.3 million Haitians have fled their homes and are now internally displaced — a 24% increase since the end of 2024.

“We have seen or heard reports of some of the towns, especially in the north where people have been displaced to. The way it was described — it being one of the cities — it’s like ants,” says Yoder.

“You just add more people, which probably adds food insecurity in those areas. That’s how it affects ministries like Christian World Outreach.”

CWO is seeing the impact of displacement firsthand through its children’s feeding program. “We’re just seeing an increase,” says Yoder. “Eighty children gathered in one of our places where we have a feeding program, which is a little bit higher than the norm.”

Pray for an end to the violence and instability permeating Haitian life, and for people to turn to Jesus for hope. Ask the Lord to sustain CWO’s ministry with supporters and spiritual encouragement.

Yoder also urges prayer for the newly freed captives: “Emotionally, that God would heal there. I’m not sure what all they went through, but I’m sure that emotionally it was a draining month. [Pray] that God will work in their lives and they can get back to somewhat of a normal life that they had at that center.”

*Some reports say nine people total were kidnapped from the compound.

Header photo from 2020 of a suburb of Port-au-Prince. (Photo courtesy of Reynaldo Mirault/Unsplash)

The missionary, Gena Heraty, is known for her decades-long care for children with disabilities. EU officials are working to secure the group’s release.

The kidnapping happened not far from the Haiti office of Christian World Outreach (CWO). CWO staff weren’t targeted, but the ministry is feeling the strain of daily unrest.

“We have not directly been affected by any kidnappings or anything recently,” says CWO President Greg Yoder. “But it’s caused ministry to slow down and sometimes be postponed, especially in the Port-au-Prince area.”

Women learning sewing skills at a feminine training center. (Photo courtesy of Christian World Outreach)

That’s already forced closures elsewhere. In Mirebalais, another hot zone for gang control, violence has emptied the streets.

Yoder explains, “Recently, with the gangs kind of taking over Mirebalais, that shut down our Feminine Training Center there because pretty much everybody left town.”

Still, CWO isn’t pulling out. If anything, the team sees the chaos as a reminder of why they’re there in the first place. Haiti needs Christ more than ever.

“Our goal is to use those opportunities to share the Gospel. Our hope is, even during these difficult times, that it makes people think about their lives and eternity.”

CWO-partnered churches and training centers continue to meet when they can — sometimes online, sometimes in person, always looking for safe ways to encourage believers and train up leaders.

Pray for God’s protection and encouragement over those who were kidnapped. Petition the Lord for their safe return!

Yoder also asks, “Pray for the believers, that they won’t get discouraged. Pray for them as they evangelize in their communities. Pray for safety of the staff there as they try to continue on with ministry.”

Learn more about CWO’s Haiti ministry.

Header photo features a child in Haiti. (Photo courtesy of TopSphere Media/Unsplash)

Women learning sewing skills at a feminine training center (Photo courtesy of Christian World Outreach)

Greg Yoder with CWO says that even though armed security forces are in the capital too, “not much has changed in Port au Prince itself, as far as reducing the risk of doing ministry right there.”

But he says Haitians are resilient. “The women want to come to the classes for the feminine training center. The people still come to church, and the kids still come to the feeding program,” he says. 

“If [the violence] gets too close, we just don’t have classes, we don’t hold the feeding program, we won’t hold church. But they (local staff) continue to want to do ministry, share the gospel. Our hope is that gang members come to know the Lord through us being there and the Haitian people being resilient, and pastors still ministering to people, and teachers still speaking into women’s lives.” 

Yoder says their ministry in Port-au-Prince will end only if gangs take over the property — and even if the Lord allows that worst-case scenario, ministry outside of the capital will go on. He explains that a network of churches in the countryside is standing united. 

“The churches in the countryside are still able to meet, and they are coming together,” he says.

A church in Haiti (Courtesy of Christian World Outreach via Facebook)

One of the ways these churches support one another is through a “Harvest Feast.” Part of that gathering is families bringing produce from their gardens.

“They use that [produce] to sell — the church does — to help support the church, but they also help by giving to people in need. Some of those people may be people that are displaced because of the gang violence in Port au Prince,” Yoder says.

“They want to help each other. I’ve seen that happen where they take offerings and help support the need of another church. It’s a true picture of what Christianity should be about as we work together to share the gospel.”

Please pray for protection for CWO staff, church attendees and class participants in Haiti’s ongoing crises so that gospel ministry can continue in Port-au-Prince.

“If people have a heart to give, give financially, so we can continue to do ministry. Costs have gone up for everything.” 

Learn more here about how Christian World Outreach is making a difference for Christ. 

Header photo from 2020 of a suburb of Port-au-Prince called Petionville (Photo courtesy of Reynaldo Mirault via Unsplash)

“Each day the gangs are taking over city by city down south, so everybody is moving,” DeHart says. 

Thousands of Haitians have been fleeing to the North of the country away from Port-au-prince. They are primarily finding lodging, along with relative stability and safety, in Cap-Haïtien. But not all is rosy there. 

“Everybody is bringing their business to Cap-Haïtien,” DeHart says. “But the inflation is still really high. People still can’t afford to eat. It’s getting very crowded.”

DeHart says to support the housing needs, her ministry built two houses last year and plans to build four more in 2025. But the influx of people is outpacing ministry capability.

Courtesy of Jörg Haller from Pixabay

“We don’t have the means to build houses for all the people that are asking us for housing,” she says.

Food is another issue. For Haiti with Love currently feeds about 100 people a day.

“Again, we don’t have the means to feed everybody. We would like to, but we can’t.” 

Adding to Haitian’s daily concerns in Cap-Haïtien is an ever-present fear that gangs will join the northward surge. 

“We are praying it doesn’t happen – that Cap-Haïtien stays safe,” DeHart says. 

Her ministry expected 500 children at their Christmas program last month. 

“We ended up having over a thousand children,” she recalls. “They got their tummy filled up, and they also got fed spiritually.” 

For Haiti with Love also hosts a medical clinic. Dehart says the staff tell patients the free services reflect the free love of Jesus. 

“They always ask us about who is this Jesus, and we tell them who Jesus is and tell them to pick a church and go to a church.” 

With the unrest and violence, Dehart says many missionaries have already left the country. 

“And I understand it is hard, but we are there and we want to continue to be there to help God’s children in Haiti,” she remarks. 

Please pray for Haiti. Pray that Haitians would look to Christ for both spiritual and physical needs, and pray that For Haiti with Love would continue to meet those whenever possible. Pray for safety of and provision for families, and pray that God’s mercy would be evident to His followers in this country.

Featured photo courtesy of Patrice S Dorsainville via Unsplash

The need for help is desperate as uncontrollable gang violence continues in Port-au-Prince and spreads through the country.

Haiti’s new prime minister was sworn in on November 11 — a change some hoped would lead to an improved security situation. Yet, with a rocky start last week, it’s uncertain whether the gang violence will be tamed by the leadership transition.

(Photo courtesy of For Haiti with Love)

On the ground meeting Haitians’ needs, Christian ministry For Haiti With Love is providing a sense of stability to families who don’t know where their next meal will come from.

For Haiti With Love’s Roseline DeHart says, “We don’t really know what’s going to happen after this month or during this month, but we are there to help the people as best as we can. There will be a lot of hunger. We will feed them; as many as we can…. But with Haiti, it can’t get any worse.”

God’s timing, though, is amazing. DeHart shares, “Before yesterday, the mission airline took supplies down there. We already had boxes with them and they took down all of our supplies, so the clinic is all ready for whatever happens. We have food down there already too, to help the people.”

In the space between starvation and compassion, their team is Jesus to people. Many mission groups have left, but For Haiti With Love will remain.

“People are suffering,” DeHart says. “People in Port-au-Prince, day to day, they just move from one city to another because the gangs are taking over city by city. So, we need prayers. God needs to do something, and only God can change Haiti.”

Ask God to intervene and bring lasting peace in Haiti, both socially and spiritually.

You can support For Haiti With Love’s ministry and learn more here.

Header photo courtesy of For Haiti With Love.

AMG International’s Brian Dennett tells us, “A Spirit Airlines Flight was actually shot at by gangs. They aborted the landing and diverted to the Dominican Republic. There were two other planes also shot at. This has prompted the suspension of all [U.S.] flights into Haiti for at least the next month.” 

The airport has been entirely shut down until November 18. The Monday incident has direct impact on aid shipments — and on people, too. AMG’s national director for Haiti was in the U.S. for meetings.

“His flight was actually canceled, and so he is now stuck here indefinitely. So please pray for him,” Dennett says.

Patient consultation at one of AMG International’s healthcare clinics.
(Photo courtesy of AMG International)

One out of every two Haitians is experiencing crisis-level hunger. Food, medicine, gasoline, public transportation, everything has skyrocketed in price. If that weren’t enough, more than 700,000 Haitians also have been displaced — some in a very targeted way. 

“Gangs have even removed people from their homes and are occupying [them]. So they’re not just experiencing violence and struggling with purchasing basic supplies and food and so forth — they’re also out of their homes,” Dennett says.

AMG has had a Gospel footprint in Haiti for over 40 years. Their work now includes childcare, Christian schools, medical ministries, and leadership training. In the current crisis, ministry expanded to include food and housing programs. However, the churches are overwhelmed.

“Pray for our brothers and sisters there,” Dennett says. “If people are led to support financially, we can get money there, and we can purchase supplies locally without having to send them in, which is a big issue now, especially with the lack of flights.”

Connect with AMG’s ministry in Haiti here. 

Header photo of aerial view of Port-au-prince, capitol of Haiti. (Photo courtesy of David Mark from Pixabay)