History

Haiti became the world's first Black-led republic and the first Black independent nation in the early 19th century after successfully overthrowing French colonial rule. This victory not only secured freedom for Haitians but also contributed to the abolition of slavery across several Caribbean territories. However, the cost of independence was steep: Haiti was forced to pay substantial reparations to France to compensate former slave owners, a debt known as the "independence debt." This unjust payment wasn't fully settled until 1947, and recent calls have emerged for France to repay this historic injustice.

Once the wealthiest colony in the Americas, Haiti is now the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with more than half of its population living below the World Bank’s poverty line. Decades of foreign intervention, political instability, debt burdens, and natural disasters have severely hindered Haiti's development. Challenges such as corruption, poor governance, inflation, and chronic instability have left Haiti among the most impoverished and environmentally degraded nations in the region.

In 2010, a devastating 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti, killing over 200,000 people, injuring tens of thousands, and causing widespread destruction to infrastructure and the economy. More recently, on July 7, 2021, the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse by unidentified gunmen at his residence in Port-au-Prince further plunged the country into turmoil. This event has since escalated gang violence, leading to greater insecurity, weakened governance, and deepening poverty.

The surge in gang violence and kidnappings has also deterred nonprofit organizations and mission teams from providing critical aid. Many now avoid travel to Haiti due to increasing security risks, leaving the nation with even fewer resources to address its growing crises.