AGP Executive Report

Displacement Update: The UN says nearly 1.5 million people are displaced in Haiti as of May, with 95,000 newly displaced since December; violence in Port-au-Prince’s Cité Soleil area pushed the capital’s displaced population past 300,000, while most displaced families still lack stable shelter, water, sanitation, food, livelihoods, and healthcare. Water & Health: Rotary’s HANWASH initiative won a Programmes of Scale grant to expand safe water access in Haiti’s rural and urban communities, aiming to scale potable water delivery across more communes. Justice & Environment of Risk: Haiti launched two specialized judicial units in Port-au-Prince to prosecute gang-linked mass atrocities, sexual violence, corruption, and financial crimes—an effort aimed at tackling impunity that also worsens everyday safety and service delivery. Regional Spillover: The Dominican Republic and the UN held a political dialogue on how Haiti’s crisis is affecting border management, public services, security, human rights, and sustainable development. Disaster Readiness: A regional hurricane preparedness summit in Florida and the Caribbean will focus on coordination, infrastructure resilience, and public safety as climate-linked storm intensification concerns grow.

Haiti World Cup Return: Haiti’s national team has arrived in New Jersey to set up its training camp at Stockton University, marking a historic return to the FIFA World Cup after 52 years—though the squad’s preparations are shaped by Haiti’s security crisis. Regional Security & Development: The Dominican Republic and the UN held a political dialogue on how Haiti’s crisis is affecting border management, public services, human rights, and sustainable development. Justice Push in Port-au-Prince: Haiti launched two specialized judicial units in Delmas to pursue gang-linked mass atrocities, sexual violence, corruption, and electoral fraud, with 25 magistrates—while rights groups warn insecurity and weak frameworks could slow results. Water Access Boost: Rotary’s HANWASH initiative won a Programmes of Scale grant to expand sustainable safe water access across Haiti’s rural and urban communities. Weather Readiness in the Caribbean: Trinidad and Tobago’s meteorology service is working with regional forecasters to improve early warnings with impact-focused guidance for farmers, fishermen, commuters, and sailors.

Haiti & Water Security: Rotary’s HANWASH initiative in Haiti just won a Rotary International Foundation “Programmes of Scale” grant, aiming to expand safe drinking water access in both rural and urban communes. Haiti & the World Cup (and the climate angle): As Haiti’s men’s team prepares for its first World Cup appearance since 1974, Haitian fans in the U.S. say ticket prices and immigration fears are dampening plans—while host cities brace for heat and stormy summer conditions that can affect travel and match-day safety. Haiti & Community Resilience: Stockton University is upgrading its pitch for Haiti’s national team training ahead of the tournament, replacing winter-damaged grass with new turf. Regional Early Warnings: Trinidad and Tobago is pushing smarter, impact-focused weather alerts for farmers, fishermen, commuters, and sailors—an approach Caribbean forecasters say could strengthen preparedness across the region. Port-au-Prince Press Freedom: Reporters Junior Célestin and Osnel Espérance were abducted in Port-au-Prince and are presumed executed, with relatives still waiting for confirmed information.

Haiti Water Access: Rotary’s Haiti National Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Initiative (HANWASH) won a Rotary International Foundation “Programmes of Scale” grant to expand safe water in both rural and urban communes, aiming to scale potable water access nationwide. Regional Climate Readiness: Trinidad and Tobago is running a workshop with regional forecasters to improve early warning systems, pushing forecasts toward practical, impact-based guidance for farmers, fishermen, commuters, and sailors. CARICOM Coordination: CARICOM foreign ministers reaffirmed support for regionalism and coordinated foreign policy, with discussions that included extra-regional partnerships and conservation-focused settings in Suriname. Haiti World Cup, Security & Mobility: Haiti’s national team faces major hurdles as a key domestic player seeks a US visa while gang-controlled Port-au-Prince limits training conditions. Immigration Pressure on Fans: Haitian fans in the US say Trump-era immigration enforcement and ICE fears could keep people from traveling to World Cup matches. Energy & Costs in the Region: A fuel affordability comparison highlights how workers in Haiti and Belize face some of the toughest gasoline costs relative to wages across CARICOM.

Water & Sanitation: Rotary-backed HANWASH in Haiti won a Rotary International Foundation “Programmes of Scale” grant to expand safe water access in rural and urban communes, after years of work since 2017. Climate & Risk Communication: Regional forecasters in Trinidad and Tobago met to improve early warning systems, pushing for impact-based weather alerts farmers, fishermen, commuters, and sailors can actually use. Local Governance & Environment: Former Cap-Haïtien mayor Michel Saint-Croix returned to lead an interim municipal commission tasked with tackling sanitation breakdowns, flooding risks, and deteriorating infrastructure. Food Systems Tech: A new Geospatial Innovation for Food Security challenge is funding tools meant to help humanitarian and agricultural teams spot climate and supply-chain risks before they become crises. Energy & Sustainability (Region): Belize was flagged as among CARICOM’s most fuel-cost-stressed countries, while the Bahamas launched a free energy audit initiative for small businesses to cut costs and emissions. Haiti in the Spotlight (Diaspora Pressure): Haitian fans and immigrants in the U.S. say World Cup travel is clouded by fear of immigration enforcement—an indirect stressor on community safety and mobility.

World Cup anxiety hits Haitian fans in the U.S.: A Haitian living in Ohio says he’s skipping flights to avoid ICE after Trump’s immigration crackdown—fear that’s echoed across immigrant communities as heavily armed ICE operations spread. Local Haiti governance: Cap-Haïtien has named ex-mayor Michel Saint-Croix to lead a new interim commission after months of public frustration over sanitation, flooding, and crumbling infrastructure. Public health progress: PAHO and the Carter Center signed a technical cooperation deal to push river blindness elimination across Hispaniola and the wider Americas. Climate + preparedness in the region: Trinidad and Tobago is training forecasters to deliver more practical early warnings—impact-focused, not just “cloudy or sunny.” Diaspora culture: Fall River, Massachusetts is welcoming its first Haitian bakery, adding Caribbean flavors during Haitian Heritage Month.

World Cup anxiety for Haitian fans: A Haitian man in Ohio says he’s proud to sing Haiti’s anthem at the 2026 World Cup—but is “thinking twice” about flying because of Trump-era immigration crackdowns and fear of ICE at airports. Immigration pressure, wider ripple: The same fear is echoed across immigrant communities as ICE operations intensify, with many detainees reported as having no criminal record. Local Haiti governance: In Cap-Haïtien, ex-mayor Michel Saint-Croix has returned to lead an interim municipal commission tasked with tackling a worsening sanitation and flooding crisis. Health progress in the region: PAHO and the Carter Center signed a technical cooperation deal aimed at eliminating river blindness (onchocerciasis) across the Americas, including on Hispaniola. Culture and community: South Florida’s Haitian community is set to gather for Haiti World Cup watch parties, including at Dave & Buster’s, blending sports, music, and fundraising.

World Cup ICE fears: As Haiti’s first World Cup run since 1974 kicks off, Haitian fans in the U.S. are still weighing the risk of Trump-era immigration enforcement—one Ohio man says his lawyer told him not to fly “so I don’t get caught at the airport,” after seeing aggressive ICE raids and even deadly force in U.S. cities. Cap-Haïtien sanitation shake-up: In Haiti, former mayor Michel Saint-Croix has returned to lead an interim municipal commission tasked with tackling worsening garbage, flooding, and failing infrastructure. Regional health push: PAHO and the Carter Center signed a technical cooperation deal to speed river blindness elimination across the Americas, with Hispaniola included. Security cooperation: Haiti’s defense minister and police leadership met Brazilian partners to structure training and support for Haitian forces. Sports community ties: In South Florida, Inter Miami and UNICEF are building a “soccer village” to raise funds for programs including Haiti.

Grassroots Sports Push: Scotland is rolling out a £20m “Summer of Sport” fund to get more kids and teens active with free and low-cost football, rugby, swimming, cycling, and athletics. Public Space & Care: A new reflection on New York’s nurses’ strike shows how sidewalks outside hospitals became a real-life “infrastructure of care” when workers were pushed out of institutions. Cap-Haïtien Sanitation Turn: Haiti’s second city is getting a reset: ex-mayor Michel Saint-Croix returns to lead an interim municipal commission tasked with tackling garbage, flooding, and failing infrastructure. Health Cooperation: PAHO and the Carter Center signed a technical deal to speed up river blindness elimination across the Americas, including work on Hispaniola. World Cup Pressure on Communities: As the 2026 World Cup nears, immigrant fans and workers in the U.S. are bracing for ICE fears—while Haiti supporters in South Florida plan watch parties tied to UNICEF fundraising.

Reparations Debate Reignites: At France’s slavery-recognition anniversary, President Macron asked how the crime can be “redressed,” while critics say France still dodges concrete reparations and leans on vague “scientific projects.” Cap-Haïtien Sanitation Reset: Ex-mayor Michel Saint-Croix is back to lead an interim commission tackling garbage, flooding risk, and crumbling infrastructure. Public Health Partnership: PAHO and the Carter Center signed a technical cooperation deal to push river blindness elimination across the Americas, including work on Hispaniola. Gang Violence and Children at Risk: UN reporting highlights a surge in gang recruitment of children and escalating harm to schools and families. Haiti’s Security Moves: The UN-backed anti-gang force continues to land amid worsening violence, with commanders and partners trying to turn mandate into results. Local Infrastructure Push: Haiti’s Public Works ministry is assessing power and river damage in the Southeast, including plans to address a hydro plant outage.

UNICEF + Inter Miami: South Florida families joined Inter Miami’s Dream Cup with UNICEF, building a soccer village at the stadium and raising funds for programs that include Haiti. Public health partnership: PAHO and the Carter Center signed a technical cooperation deal to push river blindness elimination across the Americas, with Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) in focus alongside malaria and lymphatic filariasis. Haiti infrastructure: Haiti’s Public Works Minister visited the Gaillard hydroelectric plant and Bassin Caïman to speed repairs after outages and cyclone damage, aiming at energy independence and stronger riverbed protection. Gang violence and children: UN reporting highlights how children are increasingly caught in Haiti’s gang recruitment and abuse, with schools hit hard and child protection mechanisms under pressure. Regional diplomacy: CARICOM leaders used their COFCOR meeting to urge tighter coordination and support for stability in Haiti, while Haiti-related security and defense cooperation talks with Brazil continued. World Cup spillover: Haitian fans in the U.S. are gearing up for World Cup watch parties and trophy-tour moments—while immigration enforcement fears hover for immigrant communities.

Health Partnership: PAHO and the Carter Center signed a technical cooperation deal to push river blindness (onchocerciasis) elimination by 2030, with added work on malaria and lymphatic filariasis—explicitly including Hispaniola, where Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the burden. Haiti Security & Protection: UN reporting says gang recruitment is increasingly pulling in children, with schools hit hard and child protection systems under strain as violence and trauma deepen. Haiti Reconstruction: Haiti’s Public Works Ministry says it’s intensifying repairs in the Southeast, including plans to rehabilitate the Gaillard hydroelectric plant and stabilize riverbeds after cyclone damage. Regional Diplomacy: CARICOM leaders meeting in Paramaribo urged tighter regional coordination and a unified voice, with Haiti repeatedly flagged as central to Caribbean stability. World Cup Culture in the Diaspora: South Florida’s Haitian community is set for World Cup watch parties, turning big-screen matches into fundraisers and cultural gatherings.

Public Health Partnership: PAHO and the Carter Center signed a technical cooperation deal to speed up elimination of river blindness (onchocerciasis) across the Americas, with added work on malaria and lymphatic filariasis—also targeting Hispaniola, shared by Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Haiti Security & Services: As violence keeps disrupting care, the ICRC is expanding medical supplies and first-aid training for community health workers, plus safety planning for teams working in high-risk areas. Haiti Reconstruction: Haiti’s Public Works Ministry is pushing repairs in the Southeast, including plans to rehabilitate the Gaillard hydroelectric plant and reinforce riverbed work after cyclone damage. Regional Diplomacy: CARICOM leaders are urging tighter foreign-policy coordination, including support for Haiti’s stability, as the bloc navigates global shifts. Hurricane Watch: NOAA says the Atlantic season is likely below average, but officials stress preparation still matters.

Anti-Gang & UN spotlight: A UN-backed anti-gang force is finally arriving in Haiti as violence surges, while a UN mission warns children are paying the highest price—schools hit hard and recruitment of children reportedly rising fast. Haiti security diplomacy: Haiti is pushing for stronger, faster international support for the Gang Suppression Force, including at a Morocco peacekeeping conference. Local reconstruction: In the Southeast, Haiti’s Public Works Ministry is moving to rehabilitate the Gaillard hydro plant and shore up river damage after cyclones—energy and roads are the immediate targets. Youth & jobs: The PAPEJ program is launching a business plan competition for young entrepreneurs, aiming to fund and support new, formalized businesses. Health cooperation: PAHO and The Carter Center signed a deal to eliminate river blindness (onchocerciasis) across the Americas, including work on Hispaniola. World Cup momentum: Haiti’s return to the World Cup is spilling into diaspora life, with South Florida watch parties planned for Les Grenadiers.

Youth Entrepreneurship in Haiti: The Ministry of Trade and Industry has launched a business plan competition for the 5th cohort under PAPEJ, aiming to back young entrepreneurs with financing plus technical support to create jobs and formalize businesses. Haiti’s Security and State Capacity: Haiti’s defense leadership is pushing ahead with Brazil-backed cooperation, including training for Haitian police and armed forces, as the wider region presses for faster support for the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force. Regional Diplomacy: CARICOM’s foreign ministers are meeting in Suriname as Secretary-General Carla Barnett urges a unified regional voice to handle global shocks—while Haiti remains a top priority for stability. Health Policy Pressure Abroad: In the U.S., Massachusetts lawmakers warn that ending Haitian TPS could worsen health-care staffing shortages, as the Supreme Court weighs the future of TPS. Water and Jobs on the Ground: Rotary is expanding water and sanitation support toward 70,000 people by 2030, while Haiti’s private-sector youth internship program (PIJE) continues paid placements to help graduates enter work.

Anti-Gang Push in Haiti: A UN-backed Gang Suppression Force is finally arriving as violence surges, with Haiti’s partners pressing for faster, stronger deployment—because delays carry a human cost. Diplomacy for Security: Morocco’s foreign ministerial push highlights growing Francophone support for the force, while Haiti’s government keeps urging coordinated international action. Haiti in the U.S. spotlight: A Haitian asylum seeker’s death in an Arizona ICE detention facility is confirmed as linked to an untreated tooth infection, renewing scrutiny of medical neglect in custody. World Cup, New Jersey base camps: Haiti has been named one of the teams selecting New Jersey as a World Cup base camp location, with training sites tied to the tournament’s wider local economic buzz. Water & Health: Rotary expands a Haiti water and sanitation effort targeting about 70,000 people by 2030, aiming to cut waterborne disease. Culture & Inclusion: UNESCO-backed workshops are supporting young Haitians with disabilities to create and return cultural events amid the security crisis.