(Cover photo: Rice warehouse in Haiti) Photo this page: Cargo load at ministry HQ
Haiti (MNN) ― Aid organizations fear the food crisis could further destabilize Haiti. Skyrocketing food prices led to deadly protests and the ouster of the nation's Prime Minister.
The World Food Program is trying to raise $96 million for Haiti. But that doesn't take the sting away from the fact that there are over 200 containers stacked up from just one of the shippers. That translates to thousands of pounds of food that is rotting on the docks, held there by a paper logjam.
For Haiti With Love's Eva DeHart says hungry people are desperate, and desperate people do desperate things. "They're breaking into private warehouses. We now have professional security at our headquarters because we have food there. You can't distribute it all when you don't know when you're going to get your next supply. But the hungry people want it now, so there are riots."
Nearly all food and global food prices have risen 40 percent since mid-2007. But in Haiti, rice and pasta prices have doubled, with a 50 pound bag of rice now costing For Haiti With Love $50 USD. Since most Haitians live on less than $2 a day, such prices mean food is not something to purchase. Rather, many are dependent on humanitarian aid for survival nutrition.
The crisis means For Haiti With Love is going through their supplies quickly. DeHart says even now, there are ministry opportunities. "We got our shipment of beans when we were down to ten bags that they could see. God came through in time so that the doors are still open to show that God is providing, and the people are getting the witness of that." It's as simple as witnessing the hope that comes through faith in God.
DeHart says they are still praying for enough funds to keep supplied. She asks prayer for the starving who need the food. Pray for the workers who are being asked to wrestle through the government paperwork. And pray for the government to address the issues quickly.
