Expanding Sanitation Acess in Urban Haiti

Dear Friend,

We are, as always, touched by the empathy and concern shared by those who have reached out about TPS ending and its impact on our community. Indeed, this is a sad moment for many hardworking Haitians living in the United States, as work permits for TPS recipients—many of whom have called the country home since 2010—have now ended. 

In Haiti, remittances from abroad account for more than 20% of GDP and are a critical source of income for the majority of vulnerable families. In addition to supporting their families in Haiti, Haitians on TPS contribute more than $5.6 billion to the US economy and pay approximately $1.6 billion in taxes. We are devastated that the U.S., which used to take pride in the accomplishments of immigrants, is undermining the deep positive impacts brought by diversity, and with such cruelty. 

We have many former staff members and friends who will be impacted by this decision and it has been heartbreaking to witness the fear and uncertainty this has brought to those we love.

Limited infrastructure and city services were already strained prior to this growth and, with more people, the needs have grown staggeringly. What we have felt over the past years is the impact of a rapidly growing population in Cap-Haitien with some estimating that the city has nearly doubled in size due to internal migration from Port-au-Prince and deportations from the Dominican Republic. Our sales team and collectors bear daily witness to these increased needs as new homes spring up and households take in relatives. 

Despite the deepening challenges, our team has managed to grow the service consistently month to month - now reaching over 4,500 homes in northern Haiti. SOIL’s HR Director often shares that, for our team, SOIL is far more than a job, it is our life’s work. It is a way to give back to the communities we love and to offer a light of hope in these dark times. 

It has not been easy, but I am deeply grateful to work alongside an indefatigable team. During a time in which more financial resources are diverted to defense budgets—a moral outrage when so many people still lack access to basic services—we are doubling down on our commitment to Haiti and safe sanitation for all.

In solidarity,

The SOIL team