December 8, 2010
Rioting broke out in Haiti’s capital, Port-Au-Prince, as demonstrators expressed anger after the announcement of recent election results. According to the Associated Press, protesters set fire to the headquarters of the ruling political party. Riots began December 7, following an announcement that one of the presidential candidates, Michel Martelly, a popular singer, is not in the run-off election.
“Furious supporters of [Martelly] set fires and manned barricades in the streets of Haiti’s capital Wednesday after officials announced that government protege Jude Celestin would advance to a runoff in the presidential elections,” wrote Jonathan M. Katz of the Associated Press. Thus far, there have been no confirmed injuries in the fire or demonstrations.
“We are safe in our guest house and will be careful in going out today,” says Phil Skellie, president of Compassion and Mercy Associates (CAMA), the relief and development arm of The Alliance. “Thanks for your prayers.” After the January 12, 2010, earthquake that struck Port-Au-Prince, CAMA has partnered with sister organizations in providing assistance to Haitian families affected by the disaster.
The political unrest, following on the heels of the recent cholera outbreak, is another devastating blow in a country ravaged by natural disaster. CAMA contributed to the medical effort to fight the cholera outbreak. To learn more about CAMA’s compassionate care ministries, click here.