Haiti Advocacy Ministry
Mission Statement
Consistent with our baptismal vows, Haiti Advocacy Ministry supports Episcopal dioceses to assist the Haitian people. Haiti Advocacy Ministry provides information to parish, diocesan, and governmental agencies at large, supports existing networks who engage in relief work in Haiti, guide parishes and schools to establish new sustainable and impactful partnerships, and advocate for meaningful change in response to the 82nd General Convention’s Amended D060 (Support For a Solution to the Crisis in Haiti) and D070 (Prayers for Haiti).
Why Haiti Matters?
A Nation in
Extreme Crisis
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Hurricane Melissa is the latest in a long line of natural disasters that strike Haiti far more frequently than most places, worsening an already fragile emergency.
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Violent gangs now control major regions; civilians—especially women and children—face famine, trafficking, and displacement, with armed groups controlling an estimated ~90 % of Port-au-Prince and expanding influence nationwide. World Food Programme
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Haiti has had no bishop since 2018 and no elected government since the 2021 presidential assassination, contributing to a prolonged governance vacuum and instability. Living Church
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Violence against children increased dramatically — including killings, forced recruitment, and abuse — with rights violations rising significantly compared to the previous year. Anadolu Ajansı
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5.5 + million people require urgent humanitarian assistance due to the combined impacts of gang violence, political instability, and economic collapse. Amnesty International | Relief Web
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Gang recruitment has increased and they control the vast majority of Port-au-Prince and many major routes. wfp.org | IPCinfo
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Cholera has resurged, with tens of thousands of suspected cases and significant deaths since late 2022, complicating the public health emergency. Human Rights Watch
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Internal displacement continues to rise, with over 1.2–1.3 million people forced from their homes by recurring gang attacks and conflict. Pan American Health Organization+1
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Women and girls face heightened risks of gender-based violence, including rape and exploitation in displacement sites, while access to reproductive health services remains limited. United Nations Population Fund
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Over 1,600 schools have been closed, attacked, or occupied, leaving hundreds of thousands of children out of education and stripping them of safety and structure. Global Issues
Get to Know Us
We are an all-volunteer collaborative community of Episcopal priests, deacons and laity from the Dioceses of Washington DC and Dioceses Virginia. Launched in 2024, we answered a call to respond faithfully to the famine, violence, and gang-related crises impacting our Haitian sisters and brothers. As awareness of our advocacy work increases, our group has grown to include the Diocese of Southwest Virginia.
Why Our Response Matters
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Rural schools depend heavily on U.S. churches, yet only one-third receive consistent support.
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Without Episcopal schools, many children—especially in remote areas—have no access to education.
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The Haitian government cannot currently provide basic services; the Church is often the only safety net.
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