Haiti's prisons are renowned for their brutality and overcrowding. Men and women often languish for years before an initial court appearance. They are now facing a new horror. As reported recently in the Guardian's headline on Haiti, "dozens of inmates starve to death as malnutrition crisis engulfs prisons." The United Nations Security Council released a report recently citing 54 prison deaths due to malnutrition.
The country's severely overcrowded prison system has long struggled to provide food and water to inmates. In recent months, inmates have been forced to rely solely on friends and family for food and water. They are often unable to visit because gang-related violence makes many areas impassable.
Responding to this crisis and plea for help, Midwest Food Bank Haiti recently shipped a full sea container of food earmarked for local prisons and severe malnutrition needs in the community. MFB Haiti covered all costs for this shipment, and distribution will be coordinated by our long-time in-country partner, Haitian Christian Ministries. This shipment of nearly 21 tons of food included a highly nutritious soup mix, chili bean mix, protein-fortified pasta, rice meals, and peanut butter.
Please consider a donation to assist MFB Haiti with the costs associated with this shipment. And please keep Haiti in your prayers.