Haitian government extends curfew orders in capital

The current acting prime minister of Haiti on Wednesday said he would extend nighttime curfew orders by one week in the area of Port-au-Prince. A state of emergency order remains in effect until May 3. Only police, firefighters, health workers, and some journalists are allowed out after 7 p.m. local time. Demonstrations are prohibited day and night.

How is the situation in Haiti? Violent crime is common, kidnappings are widespread, and police cannot generally effectively respond to any of these crimes, according to a U.S. State Department travel advisory. The State Department has warned Americans not to travel to the country and urged Americans currently in the country to flee when it’s safe. The U.S. Embassy in Haiti says it is helping some Americans flee the country. The Florida Division of Emergency Management also says it has helped nearly 350 Americans leave the country since March 20.

Is the United States doing anything to help the country? USAID says it has opened a notice of funding opportunity, enabling the private sector to compete for $6 million in grants to increase food availability in Haiti.

Dig deeper: Read Travis Kircher’s report in The Sift about the situation confronting missionary pilots serving in Haiti.