Current Situation: On February 5, a rebel uprising began in the Haitian city of Gonaives, leaving more than 50 dead and dozens more injured. Rebels have moved into Cap Haitien, Haiti's second largest city, and took control of the airport and destroyed the local police station. It is estimated that more than a quarter of a million Haitians are dependent on humanitarian food assistance, and since Gonaive- a key crossroad for the northern departments in Haiti ahs been under rebel control, humanitarian assistance has been unable to pass.

Rebels are trying to force President Aristide to step down, but thus far he has insisted that he will stay in office until his term ends in February 2006. Attacks by both the rebels and Aristide supporters have been reported throughout the region, including burning of a local police outpost and several residences. As a result of growing fears, a number of people have abandoned their homes and gone elsewhere in hopes of finding safety. Tensions have spilled over into the Dominican Republic where military raids and rumors of disappearances have been reported in Dajabon, a northern border town, resulting in a closure of the border between the two nations.

With rebels controlling several towns throughout the northern part if Haiti, shortages of fuel, health services, medical supplies and basic domestic goods are developing. Food shortages are also anticipated as markets throughout the region remain closed. A corridor would need to be opened for humanitarian relief efforts to reach the troubled northern departments.

Catholic Relief Services Responds: Throughout northern Haiti, blockades are in place preventing much needed commercial products and humanitarian assistance from entering the region. Famine looms throughout portions of Haiti since none of the humanitarian aid agencies have been able to deliver supplies for almost a month. Initial reports from the region list the following needs as urgent: food, clothing, household non-food items, medical supplies and construction materials. CRS has released an initial allocation of private funds to begin emergency and humanitarian programming to distribute these supplies in coordination with Caritas Cap Haitien and Caritas Fort Liberte as soon as humanitarian convoys are allowed to pass into the north.

Action Needed:

•  Continue to keep all people affected by this situation in your prayers.

•  To respond effectively, CRS must have enough resources to keep aid flowing. Encourage people to make a donation. Please ensure the checks are clearly marked "Haitian Humanitarian Assistance" , and send contributions to Catholic Relief Services, 155 E. Superior, Chicago, IL 60611

Thank you for your support and assistance in helping us respond to the devastating effects of this unrest on our brothers and sisters in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

For more information, please contact Adrienne Curry at 312/751-8367 or acurry@archchicago.org.