Despite the unchecked violence of criminal gangs and a prolonged political crisis, a Catholic community in Haiti is making a tangible difference by bringing clean water to an underserved area.

Father Massimo Miraglio, a Camillian missionary, told the Fides agency that work has begun to extend the village water system in Pourcine Pic Makaya by about one kilometer down into the valley. The project will add two new distribution points, serving three additional hamlets near the plateau.

For many families, this means a real improvement in daily life. Children and young people, who typically carry water for their households, will have shorter distances to walk and a lighter burden. The community has hired local residents for the expansion, which is expected to be completed in a few weeks. Improved water quality will help prevent many diseases linked to contaminated water.

Healthcare remains one of Haiti’s most fragile sectors, but a significant sign of hope came on July 14 with the inauguration of the new St. Camillus Hospital in Jérémie, providing essential services to the local population.

These initiatives unfold amid a nation in profound crisis. While media coverage focuses on gang violence, political instability, and migration, deeper humanitarian emergencies—such as internal displacement, hunger, and the growing vulnerability of women and children—persist unresolved.

First Presidential Election in a Decade Scheduled

On July 27, Haiti’s electoral council set the date for the first presidential and legislative elections in ten years. The first round is scheduled for December 13, with a runoff on February 21, 2027. Final results will be announced on March 7, 2027, and citizens will also vote on constitutional changes and local representatives. The initial August date was postponed due to security concerns.

The last elections in 2016 were marred by controversy, leading to Jovenel Moïse’s presidency until his assassination in 2021. Since then, Haiti has spiraled into chaos and violence, particularly in Port-au-Prince, where gangs control much of the territory.

This story was first published by ACI Prensa, the Spanish-language sister service of EWTN News, and has been adapted for EWTN News English.