UN peacekeepers (Cover photo by Rebecca Sudduth)

Haiti (MNN) ¯ The United Nations has extended its peacekeeping mission in Haiti for another year because of the fragile security situation.

The impoverished Caribbean nation still faces a threat to international peace and security despite recent progress. The problems are exacerbated by poverty, high unemployment, rising food prices, starvation and hopelessness.

According to a report from Haiti's Food Security Coordination Unit, one in four people are at risk of starvation. That translates to two million people who are undernourished. 

Eva DeHart of For Haiti With Love says lack of food was compounded by shipping problems for their ministry. Dock strikes and a shipping company that went out of business have made keeping a full pipeline a challenge.

At one point, there was concern that the ministry would run out of food before their new shipment arrived. However, DeHart says, "Somebody donated 500 boxes of the food packs. That will tide us over until we can get the next container down."

Also, switching shipping companies was no easy feat. For Haiti's new partner wants to ship through Port au Prince and truck the supplies into Cap Haitien. DeHart says they're expecting to ship a container in the next 10 to 15 days.

The urgency is pressing. DeHart goes on to explain that starving mothers aren't able to make enough milk to keep their babies alive. For those they're helping, it really is a matter of life or death. Pray "that this container really does go in, as anticipated, and clears through customs with no big problems, because it not only has food packs in it, but it also has a thousand cases of baby formula." 

For Haiti runs a food program to provide nutritionally balanced meals to the hungry and formula for babies. They also help construct churches, schools, marketplaces in 6 villages, and over 50 homes for the homeless, along with handling a medical program which provides 24-hour emergency medical care for the poor.

As funding permits, there is also financial assistance for school tuitions, funerals, x-rays and other medical needs from doctors and hospitals that charge, along with help for the elderly.

For Haiti with Love has always been about sharing the Gospel. However, DeHart says, "First, you have to feed the belly or people can't hear. That has been one of the primary reasons for our food program all along. They just can't hear the message of love from Christ if they're starving to death."

For Haiti With Love needs funding help to cover increased shipping costs and expenses for medical clinic supplies. Click here for details.

Source: Mission Network News