Dear HFSA Community,
As we move further into 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the progress made by the Haiti Food System Alliance (HFSA) over the past two months. Despite the continued instability and escalating security challenges across the country particularly in the Central Plateau our commitment to improving food security and empowering local communities remains steadfast.
The period since March 31, when gangs invaded Mirebalais, has been especially difficult for some of our members operating in that region. The disruption caused by this crisis deeply affected our teams. Many staff were forced to relocate, yet they have remained remarkably resilient and continued their vital work from new locations.
In April, despite the ongoing instability, our member organizations persisted in delivering essential services. A notable example is our work in Pignon, where displaced team members collaborated to distributing eggs to schools and communities. This effort, led by Kore and supported by others, reminded us once again that collaboration is at the heart of HFSA’s strength.
During this period, we also turned inward to strengthen the foundation of our Alliance. We focused on developing internal processes, advancing our legal structuring, and launching recruitment for a Program and Operations Coordinator to enhance our organizational capacity. In parallel, we engaged with multiple potential new members, particularly from the private sector, who can play a critical role in expanding market access for our farmers.
One of the highlights of this past month was our first technical workshop, held on May 27, focused on the role of partnerships in strengthening agricultural value chains. The strong turnout and active participation demonstrated a shared commitment across sectors to support the future of agriculture in Haiti.
As part of our broader Phase 2 strategic goals, we continue to focus on growing our network, formalizing governance, and building sustainable funding streams. To date, we are actively vetting 11 organizations for potential membership each of which brings unique value that can help HFSA scale its impact.
Looking ahead, securing long-term funding remains one of our top priorities. From food distribution to training and systems development, the span of our work depends on the continued support of generous donors and partners. We are proud to work alongside the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and others, and we look forward to building new partnerships that can sustain and expand our reach.
In June, we are honored to be one of the sponsors of the 6th Annual Haiti Funders Conference, taking place in Boston from June 4–6. Hosted by our member organization, the Haiti Development Institute, this event will provide an important platform to engage funders and stakeholders committed to Haiti’s recovery and long-term development.
The road ahead remains uncertain, but within every challenge lies an opportunity. Our mission to support smallholder farmers and build a resilient, locally led food system has never been more critical. I am continually inspired by the dedication of our team, the commitment of our partners, and the strength of the communities we serve.
Thank you for walking this path with us, and for your continued support as we build a stronger, more sustainable future for Haiti.
Warm regards,
Erika Rosenthal
Executive Director
Chè manm kominote HFSA,
Pandan n ap antre pi fon nan ane 2025 la, mwen vle pran yon moman pou reflechi sou pwogrè Haiti Food System Alliance (HFSA) fè pandan de dènye mwa yo. Malgre ensekirite a kontinye ap ogmante atravè peyi a — espesyalman nan Plato Santral — angajman nou pou amelyore sekirite alimantè epi bay kominote lokal yo plis pouvwa rete solid.
Depi 31 mas, jou gang yo anvayi Mirebalais, peryòd sa a te vin vin pi difisil pou kèk nan manm nou yo k ap travay nan zòn sa a. Kriz la lakoz gwo deranjman; anpil nan ekip yo te oblije deplase. Men malgre tout sa, yo te montre yon rezistans ekstraòdinè epi yo kontinye travay yo soti nan lòt kote.
Nan mwa avril, malgre kriz la ki pèsiste, òganizasyon manm nou yo kontinye bay sèvis ki esansyèl. Youn nan egzanp ki make nou se travay nou fè nan Pignon, kote manm ekip ki te deplase mete tèt ansanm pou distribye ze nan lekòl ak kominote yo. Aksyon sa a, ki te mennen pa Kore epi soutni pa lòt manm yo, raple nou ankò ke kolaborasyon se fòs ki kenbe HFSA sou pye.
Nan menm peryòd sa a, nou te pran tan pou konsantre sou ranfòse baz entèn alyans lan. Nou mete aksan sou devlopman pwosesis nou yo, amelyore estrikti legal nou, epi lanse rekritman pou yon Kòdonatè Pwogram ak Operasyon pou ogmante kapasite òganizasyon an. An menm tan, nou angaje nou nan dyalòg ak plizyè nouvo manm potansyèl, sitou nan sektè prive a, ki ka jwe yon wòl kle pou elaji aksè sou mache pou agrikiltè nou yo.
Youn nan gwo moman mwa ki sot pase a, se atelye teknik nou an ki te fèt 27 me, kote nou te konsantre sou wòl patenarya nan ranfòse chèn valè agrikòl yo. Patisipasyon te fò e angajman an te klè: tout sektè yo vle mete tèt ansanm pou soutni lavni agrikilti Ayiti.
Kòm pati de vizyon nou pou Dezyèm Faz estratejik nou an, nou kontinye ap elaji rezo nou an, mete estrikti gouvènans solid sou pye, epi bati sous finansman ki dirab. Jiska jodi a, nou ap evalye 11 òganizasyon ki vle vin manm, chak ak yon valè inik ki ka ede HFSA ogmante enpak li.
Gade pi devan, jwenn finansman alontèm toujou rete youn nan pi gwo priyorite nou. Kit se distribisyon manje, fòmasyon, oswa devlopman sistèm, tout sa nou ap fè depann de sipò jantiyès donatè ak patnè nou yo. Nou fyè dèske nou travay bò kote Fondasyon W.K. Kellogg ak lòt patnè, epi n ap chèche nouvo opòtinite pou elaji rezo sipò nou an.
Nan mwa jen, nou fyè dèske HFSA se youn nan patnè konferans Fowòm Donatè Ayiti a (Haiti Funders Conference) pou sizyèm ane a, ki ap fèt Boston soti 4 pou rive 6 jen. Evènman sa a òganize pa manm nou, Haiti Development Institute, e l ap bay yon gwo opòtinite pou nou konekte ak donatè ak aktè kle ki angaje yo pou rekonstriksyon ak devlopman Ayiti sou tèm lontan.
Wout la pa fasil, men chak defi pote yon opòtinite. Misyon nou pou sipòte ti agrikiltè yo epi konstwi yon sistèm manje ki dirab epi dirije pa Ayisyen, pa janm te gen plis enpòtans. Mwen toujou enspire pa devouman ekip nou an, angajman patnè nou yo, ak fòs kominote nou yo.
Mèsi dèske nou kontinye mache sou chemen sa a avèk nou, epi pou tout sipò nou pandan n ap bati yon Ayiti ki pi solid, ki pi dirab.
Ak tout respè,