Notes from Haiti

Violence erupted in Haiti's largest and most volatile slum, Cité Soleil, on Thursday, October 19th and has continued to escalate into the weekend. Residents threw rocks and glass bottles at United Nations soldiers protesting the alleged destruction of homes by U.N. peacekeepers. Residents insist that three civilians were killed in the ensuing gun battle. Violence of this level has not been seen in Cité Soleil in over two months. Since Thursday, five civilians have been killed and many more have been wounded residents say.

Continue reading "Five Dead as Violence Escalates in Cite Soleil" »

Posted by Thoughts from Haiti at 05:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)

Today, with her Embassy detachment and two UN Armored Personnel Carriers, US Ambassador to Haiti, Janet A. Sanderson, tours what some call one of the world's worst slums, Cite Soleil.

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Posted by Thoughts from Haiti at 03:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (11) | TrackBacks (0)

On the 8th, October, the people of Cite Soleil gathered together to listen to music and celebrate the possibility of renewed and lasting peace in the, "Dezamen Ak La Pe, Ann Fel Ansamn Pou Demen Ka Pi Bel", or, "Disarmament With Peace, We'll Do It Together For a Better Tomorrow" festival.

Continue reading "Cite Soleil: Pou Demen Ka Pi Bel" »

Posted by Thoughts from Haiti at 02:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBacks (0)

Cite Soleil is the largest slum in the western hemisphere. Crowded and squalid, desperation reigns supreme here. It is the battleground between Brazilian United Nations troops and the gangs. Bullet holes and pock marks scar most buildings; some have been reduced to rubble. Most are sick of the fighting and want MINUSTAH, The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, to go.

Continue reading "Cite Soleil: Chapter I" »

Posted by Thoughts from Haiti at 02:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (10) | TrackBacks (0)