AGP Executive Report

Haiti Agriculture Crisis: A new report warns Haiti’s agriculture is nearing collapse, with over 60% of food now imported and domestic production falling amid insecurity, climate stress, weak investment, and poor infrastructure. Rural Infrastructure for Food Supply: In Nippes, the Ministry of Agriculture is rehabilitating the Arnaud rural road under PARSA, adding concrete wheel tracks, drainage works, and a ford to cut rainy-season travel problems and reduce post-harvest losses. Blue Economy Push: Haiti’s Inclusive Blue Economy project (2026–2027) cleared its steering committee approval in Cap-Haïtien, aiming to manage marine and coastal resources sustainably with IFAD support. Trade Access for Apparel: ADIH says the U.S. HOPE/HELP Act extension—duty-free access for eligible Haitian apparel—runs through Dec. 31, 2028, supporting jobs and supply-chain stability. Food Business Spotlight: Haitian American sisters launched NouBon, a small-batch Caribbean snack and nut butter brand in New York, turning Haitian recipes into export-ready products. Elections Participation Gap: Haiti’s voter registration is far behind target, with fewer than 600,000 registered so far, raising pressure for the Dec. 13 vote amid gang violence and crisis conditions. Security and Health at the Border: Dominican authorities strengthened anthrax surveillance after Haiti investigated suspected cases, highlighting cross-border animal health risks.

Agriculture Crisis: Haiti is warned to be on the brink of agricultural collapse, with food imports now supplying over 60% of what Haitians eat as insecurity, climate stress, weak investment, and poor infrastructure keep domestic production falling. Rural Infrastructure for Food Supply: In Nippes, the Ministry of Agriculture is rehabilitating the Arnaud rural road under PARSA, adding concrete wheel tracks, a ford crossing, protective walls, and drainage work to cut rainy-season travel problems and reduce post-harvest losses while improving access to the Gros-Bassin market. Coastal Jobs & Fisheries Planning: Haiti’s Inclusive Blue Economy project (2026–2027) cleared its steering committee approval in Cap-Haitien, aiming to manage marine and coastal resources sustainably and improve livelihoods for coastal communities, with IFAD support. Trade & Manufacturing Boost: ADIH says the U.S. HOPE/HELP Act extension—duty-free preferential access for eligible Haitian apparel—runs until Dec. 31, 2028, protecting jobs and Haiti’s place in supply chains. Education Support: Ahead of the 2026–2027 school year, the government announced aid for 130,000 parents and 30,000 vulnerable families, plus school rehabilitation, furniture distribution, and canteen support. Local Governance & Housing: Planning discussions in Haiti’s diaspora-linked coverage highlight zoning and ADU policy debates, underscoring how land-use rules can shape housing supply and construction activity. Security & Borders: Coverage also notes the Dominican Republic’s expanding border-control infrastructure with Haiti, including a perimeter fence and surveillance upgrades, aimed at tightening territorial control.

Electoral Participation: Haiti’s voter registration is far behind schedule for the Dec. 13 and Feb. 21 elections, with the CEP registering fewer than 600,000 people—under 7% of those 18+—as gang violence and the humanitarian crisis make outreach harder. Immigration & Labor: Haiti’s TPS fallout is hitting U.S. workplaces tied to Haitian workers, with Southwest Florida senior care facilities warning of a caregiver shortage after TPS work authorization ended. Community Pressure in Florida: Haitian immigrant advocates rallied outside Sen. Ashley Moody’s Miami office and launched billboard campaigns urging protection for Haitians facing TPS expiration and deportation risks. Food & Small Business: Haitian American sisters in New York turned family recipes into NouBon, a Caribbean snack and nut-butter brand launched in June 2026. Security & Transport: DHS launched a 24/7 tip line for suspected commercial driver’s license fraud as part of a broader crackdown on trucking-related illicit activity. Regional Crime Tech: A new report highlights how drones are increasingly used by organized crime across Latin America, including Haiti-linked regional concerns.

Education under fire: A new report from the Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack says deliberate attacks on schools and universities are rising, with Haiti listed among the most affected countries—another blow to training and long-term research capacity. Workforce shock from TPS: Haiti’s TPS termination in the U.S. is already rippling into care jobs, with advocates warning of staffing gaps in senior facilities and hospitals as Haitian workers lose legal work authorization. Policy pressure in the Haitian diaspora: Haitian-American leaders in Brooklyn are urging Congress to pass legislation that would extend Haiti TPS protections through 2029, while community groups in New York continue organizing against the loss of work rights. Cross-border security and infrastructure: On the Dominican Republic–Haiti border, the “smart perimeter” fence now exceeds 61 km, with a new 14.5 km phase launched in Jimaní—raising questions for trade, logistics, and smuggling routes. Energy investment nearby: Rubis says it will install an 8 MW solar plant in Jamaica, a reminder that regional power projects are moving even as Haiti’s own energy and logistics constraints remain acute.

Haiti TPS Fallout on Care Jobs: Haiti’s TPS officially ended July 27, and a new report from Southwest Florida links the Supreme Court upholding the termination to a growing senior-care labor shortage, with about 4,000 Haitian nursing assistants losing work authorization and facilities scrambling to keep staffing levels compliant. New York Haitian Community Pushback: Nearly a month after the Haiti TPS decision, Haitian advocates in New York City and nearby counties are still demanding amnesty as health organizations warn the workforce disruption could jeopardize vulnerable patients. Ruralization of Gang Violence: A Haiti Observatory report says gangs are shifting from Port-au-Prince into the countryside with hit-and-run raids, kidnappings, cattle theft and roadblocks—targeting farmland and transport routes in agricultural areas like Artibonite. Border Works in the Dominican Republic: The DR’s “smart” perimeter fence with Haiti now exceeds 61 km completed, with a new 14.5 km phase launched in Jimaní—expanding infrastructure aimed at curbing smuggling. Industry & Security Angle: The same insecurity pressures logistics and labor markets, while cross-border enforcement and deportation policies continue to reshape who can work, move, and operate safely.

Haiti Security & Rural Economy: A new report says Haiti’s gangs are pushing beyond Port-au-Prince into the countryside with hit-and-run raids, kidnappings, cattle theft and roadblocks—threatening transport routes and farmland in key agricultural areas like Artibonite. Border Infrastructure: The Dominican Republic is expanding its “smart” Haiti border perimeter, with a new 14.5-kilometer phase in Jimaní and the overall completed length now exceeding 61 kilometers, adding towers and surveillance to curb smuggling. Humanitarian & Community Resilience: Haitian faith leaders and scholars held a forum on building peace and “nonkilling,” arguing religious institutions can help reduce violence through community-centered action. Diaspora Work & Care Impact: Haiti’s TPS end is already rippling into U.S. industries—especially elder care—where Haitian workers face job loss, raising staffing crises in places like Florida and Long Island. Regional Crime Tech: Across Latin America, drones are increasingly used by organized crime, with armed-drone incidents surging since 2018—an alarm bell for security planning in the wider region.

UN Security Council Mandate Watch: The UN is set to decide soon on renewing Haiti’s Gang Suppression Force (GSF), due to expire Sept. 30, with the US and Panama leading talks; Sri Lanka’s large contingent (900 troops plus paramilitary police) is under scrutiny after a 2007 UN investigation found credible allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse of Haitian children by Sri Lankan personnel, with repatriations but no prosecutions reported. Rural Gang Spread: A new report says Haiti gangs are moving beyond Port-au-Prince into the countryside with hit-and-run raids, kidnappings, cattle theft and roadblocks, including attacks affecting Artibonite’s farming and transport routes. Border Infrastructure & Trade Security: The Dominican Republic has started a 14.5 km second phase of its “smart” border perimeter fence in Jimaní (13 ft high, watchtowers, culverts, patrol lanes), adding to earlier northern sections and aiming to curb smuggling. Care & Labor Shock from TPS End: Haiti’s TPS termination in the US (ending July 27) is already hitting industry-linked services, with Florida eldercare warning of staffing crises as Haitian caregivers lose work authorization. Maritime Enforcement: The US Coast Guard seized a suspected $2.4 million marijuana shipment after stopping a go-fast vessel, with Haiti support cited by the Joint Interagency Task Force South. Community Water Solutions: A Hands Helping Haiti forum (Sept. 13) highlights household clean-water filter systems and hygiene training, with 5,000+ installations to date.

Rural Gang Expansion: A new report says Haiti’s armed gangs are moving beyond Port-au-Prince into the countryside with hit-and-run raids, kidnappings, cattle theft and roadblocks—threatening Artibonite’s farm routes and farmland. Border Security & Trade Friction: The Dominican Republic has started building a 14.5 km “smart border” fence section in Jimaní/Independencia, adding towers, culverts and patrol lanes to curb smuggling and tighten control—an issue that directly affects Haiti-bound logistics. Humanitarian Fallout from TPS: Haiti’s TPS end (July 27) is already rippling into U.S. care supply chains, with Haitian caregivers losing work authorization and families scrambling for support—highlighting how migration policy can hit health and labor markets. Diaspora & Community Resilience: Haitian faith leaders and scholars held a forum on religion’s role in building peace and nonkilling amid violence and polarization. Local Water & WASH: A Hands Helping Haiti forum (Sept. 13) spotlights household clean-water filter systems and hygiene training, with 5,000+ systems installed so far. Regional Migration Pressure: UN rights chief Volker Türk urged stronger migrant protections and accountability in detention deaths, while also warning that the world’s rights system is under strain.

Faith & Peacebuilding: Haitian faith leaders, lawmakers, scholars and peace advocates held an online forum on “Peace, Nonkilling & Religion,” focusing on how religious communities can reduce violence and support reconciliation through community-led action. Rural Security & Agriculture: A new report says Haiti’s gangs are pushing beyond Port-au-Prince into rural areas with hit-and-run raids, kidnappings, roadblocks and cattle theft—raising risks for Artibonite’s farming and transport routes. Border Industry & Trade Controls: The Dominican Republic began building a 14.5 km second-phase “smart border” fence in Jimaní and Dajabón talks aimed at tighter border governance, anti-contraband cooperation and more formal trade links. Migration Shock to Care Work: Haiti’s TPS ended July 27, leaving about 350,000 Haitians without work authorization; in the U.S., care providers warn the loss of Haitian health workers could worsen staffing shortages for vulnerable seniors. Clean Water for Households: A Hands Helping Haiti forum (Sept. 13) highlights a volunteer-led WASH effort delivering household water filters and hygiene training, with 5,000+ systems installed.

Deportations & TPS Fallout: The U.S. carried out a third straight deportation flight to Haiti, sending 101 people to Cap-Haïtien and bringing the three-flight total to 319, as more than 300,000 Haitians face removal after TPS ended. Care & Labor Pressure: In Florida, the TPS lapse is already triggering a caregiver staffing crisis in Palm Beach County, where Haitian workers make up a large share of frontline elder care. Border Trade Security: The Dominican Republic has started building a 14.5-kilometer border perimeter fence with Haiti, including watchtowers, culverts, and patrol lanes, aiming to curb smuggling and tighten legal trade. Water & Community Infrastructure: A Hands Helping Haiti forum (Sept. 13, Hackensack) spotlights a grassroots clean-water program that has installed 5,000+ household filter systems and trains families to manage water safety. Rural Service Gaps: A report from Haiti’s isolated hinterland highlights communities with no schools, clinics, drinking water, or electricity, where drought has also wiped out harvests. Regional Security Analysis: New reporting warns that Caribbean arms trafficking is increasingly complex, with much of the flow tied to the United States.

Trade & Market Access: The U.S. extended duty-free trade preferences under AGOA and Haiti’s HOPE/HELP programs through 2028, giving exporters and manufacturers a longer runway to plan production and shipments. Border & Logistics Pressure: The Dominican Republic began building a 14.5-kilometer perimeter fence along its Haiti border, aiming to curb smuggling and improve patrol access—an issue that can quickly reshape cross-border trade flows. Security & Rural Economy: A new look at Haiti’s gang expansion says violence is increasingly spreading beyond Port-au-Prince, including into Artibonite, threatening agricultural output and rural livelihoods. Deportations & Labor Impact: The U.S. carried out another deportation flight to Haiti after TPS ended, sending 101 people to Cap-Haïtien and adding to the strain on returnees and local services. Water & Community Infrastructure: A Hands Helping Haiti forum highlights clean-water support in southeast Haiti, including household filters and hygiene training delivered with local leadership. Agriculture & Climate Risk: Flooding from a tropical wave hit Gonaïves, killing one, injuring two, and damaging about 1,500 homes, underscoring Haiti’s disaster vulnerability.

Border Security & Trade: The Dominican Republic has started a 14.5-kilometer perimeter fence project in Jimaní to tighten control along the Haiti border, with a 13-foot height, surveillance towers, culverts, and patrol roads aimed at reducing trafficking in the Enriquillo Basin. U.S.-Haiti Migration Pressure: U.S. authorities carried out a third straight deportation flight to Haiti, sending 101 people to Cap-Haïtien; the total on three flights reached 319, as TPS ends and returnees struggle to reintegrate amid Haiti’s security crisis. Haiti’s Rural Security & Economy: A new look at gang violence shows it’s increasingly rural, with armed groups expanding beyond Port-au-Prince—raising risks for agriculture and local production. Disaster & Infrastructure: A tropical wave hit Gonaïves with flooding and landslides, killing 1, injuring 2, and damaging about 1,500 homes, including public infrastructure. Trade Programs: The U.S. extended duty-free trade access under AGOA and renewed Haiti’s HOPE/HELP through 2028, keeping market access and supply-chain stability in focus for exporters and manufacturers.

Trade & Market Access: The U.S. extended duty-free trade preferences for Haiti under the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HOPE/HELP) through 2028, alongside an AGOA extension, giving exporters and manufacturers a clearer runway for supply chains and investment. Security & Logistics: Haiti’s gang violence keeps pushing into the countryside, with rural attacks like the Kenscoff assault underscoring how dispersed armed groups outpace current response capacity. Deportations & Labor Impact: The U.S. carried out a third straight deportation flight to Haiti after TPS ended, returning 101 Haitians to Cap-Haïtien and adding pressure on Haiti’s already strained reintegration and local labor markets. Agriculture & Infrastructure: Haiti’s Agriculture Ministry moved to strengthen hydro-agricultural infrastructure in the Central Department, while Artibonite began its second rice-growing season and rural road sections in Grand’Anse were provisionally accepted. Disaster Risk: Flooding in Gonaïves from a tropical wave killed 1 person, injured 2, and damaged about 1,500 homes, hitting public infrastructure too. Innovation & Governance: Haiti’s government advanced AI planning, including a cybersecurity and AI lab, and outlined a roadmap for responsible AI adoption.

Deportations & TPS Shock: The U.S. carried out a third straight deportation flight to Haiti, sending 101 Haitians to Cap-Haïtien after TPS ended, bringing the three-flight total to 319 and raising fears for returnees amid Haiti’s gang-driven crisis. Immigration Pressure on Haitian Communities: In the U.S., Haitian families and advocates are also pushing back against ICE ankle-monitoring practices tied to immigration enforcement, after the death of Haitian student Pierre Damas Bel in Ohio intensified calls to end the stigma and restrictions. Trade & Industry Lifelines: In Washington, Trump signed a two-year extension of duty-free trade programs that include Haiti’s HOPE/HELP, extending preferential access for thousands of textile and apparel product lines through 2028—an important boost for cross-border co-production and logistics. Rural Security & Economic Impact: A new look at Haiti’s violence shows gangs expanding beyond Port-au-Prince into rural areas like Artibonite, threatening agricultural production and local supply chains. Disaster Hits Infrastructure: A tropical wave flooded Gonaïves, killing 1 person and damaging about 1,500 homes, with public infrastructure also affected.

Trade & Jobs: The U.S. extended duty-free trade preferences for Haiti under HOPE/HELP through Dec. 31, 2028, giving exporters and co-production partners more planning certainty. Fuel & Transport Costs: Haiti revised pump prices upward (gasoline to 700 gourdes; diesel to 770; kerosene to 765), and the government followed with higher public transport fares to match the new fuel levels. Entrepreneurship Push: Haiti’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the AIESU program call to back university-linked startups, with a first cohort planned via incubators (pilot at Quisqueya University). Agriculture & Infrastructure: The Ministry of Agriculture marked the start of the 2nd rice-growing season in Artibonite, while rural road sections in Grand’Anse were provisionally accepted. Disaster Watch: A tropical wave hit Gonaïves with flooding and landslides, killing 1, injuring 2, and damaging about 1,500 homes. Security & Rural Economy: A new report highlights how gang violence is spreading beyond Port-au-Prince, threatening farming areas that underpin Haiti’s food production. Humanitarian/Return Pressure: The U.S. carried out another deportation flight to Haiti after TPS ended, sending 101 people to Cap-Haïtien.

Trade & Jobs: The U.S. House voted to renew Haiti HOPE/HELP and extend duty-free access for thousands of textile and apparel lines through Dec. 31, 2028, a move Haiti says helps protect exports, industrial jobs, and cross-border production links. Energy Costs & Transport: Haiti revised fuel pump prices upward (gasoline to 700 gourdes, diesel to 770, kerosene to 765), and authorities followed with an increase in public transport fares to match the new costs. Entrepreneurship & Industry Skills: Haiti’s Commerce and Industry Ministry launched a call for expressions of interest for AIESU, a university startup and incubator program (pilot at Quisqueya University) targeting digital tech, AI, agribusiness, manufacturing, green economy, health, and creative services. AI Readiness: Haiti’s AI roadmap work continues via a collaboration agreement among Banj, ISOC Haiti, ESIH, and ARAI, while UNITECH announced its first cybersecurity and AI lab. Agriculture & Infrastructure: PARSA-backed work is nearing completion on rural road sections in Grand’Anse to improve access to markets, and the Artibonite rice sector officially started its second growing season with ICDF support. Disaster Watch: A tropical wave hit Gonaïves, killing 1, injuring 2, and damaging about 1,500 homes, with flooding and mud affecting multiple neighborhoods.