Church agencies call for help in responding to Haitian food crisis

Published: 2008-04-11

BALTIMORE (CNS) -- Violent demonstrations in Haiti have prompted officials from aid agencies to call on the Haitian government and the international community to funnel more resources into the country so people can get food and gasoline. "At the core of the demonstrations is a sense of desperation among the people," said Bill Canny, country representative for Catholic Relief Services in Haiti, speaking from the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, April 11. "The unemployed and poor working class doesn't sense yet the effects of some of the government initiatives. Therefore, you have a high level of frustration." Food is available in Haiti -- the poorest country in the Americas -- but most people simply can't afford to buy it, Canny said. CRS, the U.S. bishops' international relief and development agency, reopened its operations April 11 after several days of looting and rioting over skyrocketing food prices forced it to shut down.

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