We cannot predict the future, but here is where we are now.

Lori and Charly traveled to the USA to complete Lori’s annual cancer screenings. Since there has been a severe lack of good news lately, let me deliver some massively good news and tell you that these screenings came back clear. Lori remains cancer free! We praise God for His goodness in this. We also thank many of you who have lifter her up before the throne of God above during this difficult season in her life.

One unfortunate byproduct of these tests was that she and Charly were in the USA when Haiti closed the airport in Port au Prince. Until the airport reopens allowing for travel, she and Charly will remain in the USA. But anyone who knows Lori knows that, quarantine or not, she will find a way to work hard and be productive. She has been working diligently with our staff in Haiti to coordinate RHFH’s response to COVID-19.

State of the Country:
As of Sunday, March 29, there were 15 documented positive COVID-19 cases in Haiti. The same day the first case was reported in Haiti (March 18), the Haitian government closed the airport to international travel, except for the United States. A few days later, flights to the USA were grounded as well. They have allowed for US citizens to fly out on commercial airlines, but those flights end on March 30. No one had been able to fly into Haiti.

The Haitian government instituted a curfew for 8pm-5am. They also put some travel restrictions in place, closed schools and churches as well. They are encouraging social distancing, which is difficult to do in the most densely populated country in the Western Hemisphere. The government has discouraged price gouging, and appears to be attempting to keep their borders open for imports. The economic situation was already fragile after almost a year of political instability and shutdown. Prices have gone up in the market, the Haitian currency continues to devalue. In 2015 it was 53 gourdes for $1USD. It is currently 97 gourdes for $1USD and rising.

MSPP (The Haitian Health Department) put out a 57 page strategic plan regarding the virus a few weeks ago. On page 26, they listed our Cholera Treatment Center as a place that could “isolate and treat patients.” After further communication with MSPP officials, they informed us that they would not actually refer patients to us prior to having additional talks and assisting us in preparation. The immediate impact for our clinic would be an increase in patients and severity of cases as many medical facilities have closed and some hospitals in PAP pivoted to solely treating COVID-19 patients. As of now, the only place testing people is the national lab in Port au Prince. The country’s resources to effectively treat this disease are limited as there are reports of less than 100 respirators in a country of 11M+.

State of RHFH Clinic:
Information is changing hour by hour, and we are trying to say out in front of it. While our clinic, RC, and CTC continue to provide services, we have been taking steps to protect our patients and our staff in regards to transmission of COVID-19. In collaboration with our Haitian staff, we have made significant changes. Changes include:

• ~Hand washing stations outside the clinic gate in the public areas.
• ~Handwashing stations throughout the Clinic yard.
• ~Each person coming through the gate is required to wash their hands and be screened for symptoms of the virus.
• ~If presenting with symptoms, they are given a mask and separated from others until a trained medical professional can evaluate them. If they are suspected, they will be quarantined until proper MSPP officials can be contacted and travel arrangements for testing can be made. We do not currently have the capacity to test.
• ~The number of patients entering the clinic has reduced to 10 at one time. Benches were removed and folding chairs have been placed 6 feet apart to ensure social distancing.
• ~Clinic staff are wearing protective gowns and n95 masks at all times. Staff with close patient contact are also wearing protective goggles.
• ~And surface area or instrument being used is sprayed/ wiped down with a bleach solution after each patient.
• ~Implementing additional protocols as MSPP distributes them.

State of RC:

• ~All workers wash their hands entering the facility. Two additional hand washing stations at both entrances to the RC.
• ~Spraying down beds, floors, and rooms with bleach solution 3x daily.
• ~In RC, when possible we are leaving an empty bed between each patient to help with distancing.
• ~No parents are allowed in RC, only staff are allowed inside. We provide pics/ video to parents if they come to visit.
• ~Workers are to not leave the facility during their shift unless absolutely necessary.
• ~Any shots, dressing changes, or other procedures required for RC admits will be done in the RC rather than the dressing room at the clinic. This means no RC patient should be in the clinic yard at any time in order to reduce risk of exposure.
• ~Nurses and staff Physician will change gowns and take necessary precautions with hand washing, etc. when coming from the clinic to the RC.

State of CTC

• ~Per MSPP request, the CTC continues to be opened and staffed 24 hours a day to treat those with acute diarrhea. Because MSPP listed this facility for possible use for COVID-19, we are making some preparations. Since we did not find water in our last drilling attempt, we purchased two 1000 gallon tanks that we are going to use to catch rain from the roof. It will also allow us to have a better water supply for that facility moving forward. This week we hope to install a water filtration system and repair the existing water system for optimal use.

State of Staff

• ~All of our Haitian staff at the clinic indicated that they desired to keep working and serving the community throughout this difficult season.
• ~Lori and Charly are supporting us from the USA as best they can.
• ~Anna Newman is also in the USA and assisting on multiple levels.
• ~Betor and Zachary families remain in Haiti.
• ~US Embassy has been in contact with us and are aware we plan to remain in Haiti at this time despite the airports being closed for travel.
• ~Additional staffing has been required to maintain proper protocols and manage patient flow entering and exiting the clinic.
• ~All appropriate PPE have been issued to the staff and every precaution is being taken to protect both staff and patients.

State of RHA

• ~Our dedicated teacher, Anna, is with her family in Alabama, as the airport here in Haiti is closed.
• ~Anna has gone above and beyond to help our kids continue their school via whatsapp and creative planning. Technology is amazing. Where there is a will, there is a way.
• ~The Betor and Zachary kids are isolating at their respective homes and doing school from there.
• ~The kids are doing well and rising to these challenges, adapting every step of the way. We are grateful for Miss Anna and our kids for their willingness to make this work and finish the school year strong despite some sizable obstacles.

State of Supplies

• ~Because of political instability in the country the past year, we got into the habit of making sure we have the supplies we need to continue this important work. Towards the end of February, we were able to stock up on fuel, medicine, and food that should last a few months.
• ~We have been able to secure a number of masks. Also, we are in the process with some local people to purchase sewn masks. We do not have an overabundant supply of PPE’s, but we are able to supply our staff and feel as though we can do so for some time. We are constantly working to replenish this supply.
• ~FMSC Rice boxes bless many we serve, particularly our outpatient feeding program on Fridays. We have a couple more weeks of this supply, after which we will begin purchasing rice and beans to continue this program as FMSC has suspended shipments to Haiti at this time.
• ~RHFH has a staff of around 80 full time and 15 part time employees. The RC/ CTC/ Dressing room all require 24 hour staffing. Our Haitian payroll is around $22,000USD per month including their taxes. This is our largest organizational expense, and one of our primary concerns when RHFH donations are down. Medika Mamba is important. Infant Formula is important. Medicines are important. But our dedicated and trained staff are incredibly important as well in making all we do effective. Please pray for us to be able to meet this need. Cutting staff would ultimately mean cutting services, neither of which seem like a wise thing to do.

State of our faith and our God

We trust God is Sovereign and in control of all things. We believe we are instruments of His grace, strengthened by Him to persevere in the work He entrusts to us, in the smoothest of times and also in the toughest of times. We sense His nearness, and know that in His Presence is fullness of joy and a peace that endures. Because of His nearness, because His Spirit dwells in us, because the love of Christ has been shed abroad in our hearts, we are able to show compassion, weeping with those who weep, and mourning with those who mourn. We have witnessed an incredible amount of pain and loss over the years of work here in Haiti. It never feels easy or light, but still Christ bids us to cast our burdens upon Him. Lament is something Christians need to learn to do better. I heard pastor Mark Vroegop describe a lament as a prayer to God in the midst of deep grief that leads to trust. Whether we are weeping or rejoicing, let us be the body of Christ and do it in a way that honors and glorifies His name.

We know you love the people of Haiti! We know you love us! We wanted to give you a short update on the state of things here in Haiti and within our organization. If you have any comments or questions, please contact us at info@realhopforhaiti.org.