Since violence erupted in the Lower Artibonite this spring, thousands of families in Haiti have been forced to flee their homes in desperate search of safety. Many crossed the treacherous Artibonite River into towns like Deschapelles and Verrettes, settling wherever they could — schools, churches, and open public spaces — with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Today, the number of people forced to flee their lives in Petite Rivière has grown to about 92,000, making this emergency effort more critical than ever.
Recognizing the urgency of this crisis, Hôpital Albert Schweitzer has partnered with World Central Kitchen to bring immediate food relief to families facing hunger. Since the effort began on May 22nd, what started with 14 community kitchens has now grown to 19 bustling kitchens that have served more than 1 million hot meals to displaced families and vulnerable residents. Over the past week alone, these kitchens have averaged over 20,000 meals a day, a testament to the scale of need and the dedication of the teams on the ground.
A key element of this response has been local hiring: 185 people, including many existing food vendors (most of them women) have been employed to staff the kitchens. By hiring these vendors, HAS and WCK have ensured that local business owners in the community don’t lose their livelihoods and have instead become integral to the response. A side benefit? The best cooks in the community are now preparing meals that everyone loves.
Every day, community leaders and displaced families share heartfelt gratitude for these hot meals. For many, it’s still the only meal they eat each day, underscoring just how essential these kitchens have become.
The meals themselves celebrate Haitian culinary traditions, featuring daily staples like local Artibonite rice, cornmeal, bulgur wheat, and millet, usually paired with beans or creamy bean purée, and complemented by hearty stews or protein in sauce. Much like previous WCK efforts, these meals are praised not only for their nutrition but also for their taste.
Children, often the most vulnerable in crises, are a central focus of this response. Internal reports show that 42% of those being served are children, meaning thousands of young lives are being protected from the threat of hunger each day.
Beyond feeding the displaced, the initiative is strengthening the entire community: local farmers and vendors — many of whom couldn’t get their goods to market due to violence and flooding — now have a reliable buyer in the community kitchens. This economic support has been a vital lifeline, helping stabilize families while boosting the local economy.
This massive response is not only filling empty stomachs but also bringing dignity, jobs, and hope. The consistent message from beneficiaries, community leaders, farmers, and vendors is one of profound gratitude for World Central Kitchen’s and HAS’s presence during this time of immense hardship.
Together, HAS with the help and support of WCK are proving that when communities unite around compassion, it’s possible to meet even the greatest challenges with resilience — and hot, nourishing meals.
Our hearts are with HAS, WCK and Haitian citizens in need. HEROES!
Many prayers follow and we thank our Lord for Larry and Gwen Mellon’s decision to found the Albert Schweitzer Hospital of Haiti that saves the lives of so many!’
At age 92 I rejoice in remembering zi am grateful that my husband Dr warren Berggren and I had the privilege of working for more than It It was a privilege to serve 10 years My husband Dr Warren Berggten, and I worked under the tutelage of
Dr Larimer Mellon and his wife who Dr and Mme William L Mellon founded the “Albert Schweitzer Hospital ” of Haiti. Both gave their lives to this work and both did all they could to improve food crops, for example bringing to Haiti the best seeds for rice cultivation. Their work brought lasting results in combatting malnutrition. nourishment to children
Of rice raising.