With sadness, we are closely following the current uprisings,
manifestations, and violence in Haiti. The anger of the masses is
rooted in the current cost of living in Haiti, translated
as "expensive life". Over the past year, the price of staples such
as rice, beans, and milk have gone up more than 50% in price. And
while these prices go up, so does the unemployment rate and
frustrations of those affected. I was recently in Haiti and was
shocked by the sky-high food prices. The anger is made worse by the
lack of government repsonse. Since yesterday morning, President
Preval was supposed to have addressed the general public and as of
now, nothing has been released on behalf of the government.

My husband and I have been in contact with friends and family in
Haiti since early yesterday evening. His parents live near the UN
headquarters in an area of PauP called Bourdon. The one-way street
where they reside is also home to President Preval's girlfriend.
Yesterday afternoon, a large group of protestors attempted to enter
the area in order to find Preval and voice their demands. Rather
than calling in the UN, which is literally right around the corner,
the residents of that area gathered together in prayer while a
representative of the neighborhood convincved them to leave
peacefully. They did so and the mass of people continued down
Bourdon towards the center of the city.

We are currently listening to radio reports from Haiti that state
that tire burning, road blocks, rock-throwing etc is taking place in
the capital and beyond. Several of our friends cars have been
attacked and the windows have been broken out with rocks. There
have also been demands to pay in order to pass certain areas where
road blocks have been constructed. There is also looting of stores
and forced entry into banks which began yesterday. Transportation
and business was blocked both yesterday and today.

It is my fear that the chimere and/or gang members will use this
time of anarchy to their advantage and only fuel the current
violence. Although there is a larger police force in PauP, the
kidnappings still continue. In only the last 14 days, two of our
close friends/family members have been abducted. Thanks be to God,
they were returned safely to their families after a ransom was paid
in both cases.

I do not and would never attempt to sensationalize the situation but
I fear that things will only get worse. When people are left hungry
for such a long time and their demands go unanswered by their
government, it is often only a revolution that will make their
voices be heard. Let us pray that this takes place in peace and
under the guidance of God.

I am also including an email (below) I received from the US Embassy
in Haiti earlier this afternoon.

For those who are able to understand French and Haitian Creole,
http://www.signalfmhaiti.com/, is an excellent live news source for
what is currently taking place in and around the capital.

Peace be,

Katie Griggs-Hyacinthe



Embassy Operations Suspended

WARDEN MESSAGE NO. 51

This Warden Message is being issued to alert American Citizens
traveling to or living in Haiti that the U.S. Embassy has suspended
operations effective Wednesday, April 9 due to demonstrations,
looting, and violence in the capital, and continuing protests in the
city of Les Cayes, located in the South Department of Haiti. All
visa services and routine American citizens services will be
temporarily unavailable during this period.

The Embassy urges all U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of
vigilance and to take appropriate steps to increase their
security/safety awareness. Americans residing in Port-au-Prince and
its environs as well as Les Cayes are encouraged to remain indoors,
monitor the local news and maintain contact with the U.S. Embassy.
Americans should avoid all crowds and demonstrations, and be sure to
keep family and friends updated on their welfare and whereabouts.
The Embassy will continue to evaluate the situation and will notify
U.S. citizens of any changes to Embassy operations or any new
security threats.

American citizens in need of emergency services can reach an Embassy
officer by contacting the Embassy switchboard at (509) 222-13540 or
(509) 222-98122. American citizens can also reach an Embassy Duty
Officer at (509) 417-2399 or (509) 558-9099, or may call Post One
(U.S. Marine Guard) at the Chancery at (509) 222-0200.

Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the U.S.
Department of State's travel website at www.travel.state.gov , where
the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts
can be found. The U.S. Embassy also encourages U.S. citizens to
review to "A Safe Trip Abroad," found at
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/safety/safety_1747.html , which
includes valuable security information for those both living and
traveling abroad. In addition to information on the Internet,
travelers may obtain up-to-date information on security conditions
by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada, or
outside the U.S. and Canada on a regular toll line at 1-202-501-
4444. Citizens living and residing in Haiti are advised to register
their presence in the country through the U.S. Department of State's
automated online registration system,
https://travelregistration.state.gov.