Trump looking to send humanitarian aid to Haiti

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is working on a plan to provide a humanitarian aid package to Haiti, where water, medicine and food are becoming increasingly scarce after nine days of consecutive protests, the Miami Herald and McClatchy Washington Bureau have learned.

“While we cannot comment on internal planning processes, the U.S. government remains committed to the people of Haiti and to addressing the food security needs of the most affected people,” a U.S. Agency for International Development spokesperson said. “USAID-delivered emergency food assistance is intended to help alleviate severe food insecurity among the most vulnerable segments of the population.”

The decisions on when, where, and the type of emergency food assistance that will be provided will be based on local needs and context, including assessments of local market conditions to ensure the appropriate interventions are put in place, the spokesperson added.

On Thursday the U.S. State Department and Canadian government announced increased travel warnings for the country, advising citizens to avoid travel to Haiti due to the civil unrest that broke out on Feb. 7, leaving diplomats and Haitians holed up at home.

Since Feb. 7, Haiti has been engulfed in violent demonstrations by Haitians angry over the skyrocketing cost of living, double-digit inflation and a government that appears incapable of addressing its concerns. Amid the protests, staged by the opposition, there have been increased calls for the resignation of President Jovenel Moise, who in his first address to the nation Thursday since the protests started made it clear he had no intention of stepping down.