Naples nonprofit continues aid as US government urges Americans to leave Haiti

The U.S. government is urging all Americans to leave Haiti. It is because of the country’s insecurity, and severe lack of fuel. It’s impacting everyday life from hospitals to schools and even banks.

Hope for Haiti, a nonprofit organization based in Naples, says while it adds challenges to their mission their work in Haiti isn’t done.

They are getting creative to make sure they can still help families have the resources they need.

Skyler Badenoch is the CEO of Hope for Haiti. His mission is to offer hope.

“We are dealing with a country on the brink of collapse. And it just feels like for us, that there’s been one thing on top of another that Haitians have to deal with,” said Badenoch.

Hope for a country that has seen earthquakes, hurricanes and civil unrest. Despite that, Badenoch’s team in Haiti continues its mission.

“Our team is delivering food and finishing our backpack and school supply distribution”

They planned ahead in case something were to prevent them from being in the country. The new warning from the embassy for Americans doesn’t impact them right now.

“Majority of our team is Haitian. By design. Leaders are Haitian, doctors, Haitian educators Haitian administrators. Their job and focus is improving conditions in country,” said Badenoch.

“Stress is high. I think people feel they’ve had enough.” Badenoch said they know the work is tough, “that’s heavy for families who are already living in poverty.”

But they also know there are silver linings.

“There’s opportunities to help and pockets of hope that exist in the country. We know that because we see that in faces and actions of moms and dads and parents and our team.”

Hope for Haiti does not currently have any Americans in the country.

It is unclear how many U.S. citizens currently live in Haiti.