Young mother finds relief in CORE’s food security program after fleeing gang violence in Port-au-Prince

Marie-Flore, photographed at her work site in Nippes.

“Sometimes when I have nothing to feed the baby, I cry. I don’t let my husband see me, but I shed tears,” shared Marie-Flore St. Jean, a young mother who fled her home with her family to escape gang violence in Port-au-Prince. Marie-Flore took refuge in the Nippes department, where she was selected for CORE’s local program to reduce food insecurity for the most vulnerable families.

Marie-Flore’s family was living in Mariani, a small town southwest of Port-au-Prince which is currently controlled by armed groups. “When the bandits invaded the area, everyone had to run to escape,” she said. “Now I am in here in the region, and I am jobless. I had no work before getting involved in the cash for work program,” she added.

In response to the acute food crisis in Nippes – and with funding from USAID through the Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) – CORE provided cash assistance to more than 5,000 households, helping them cover their basic food needs. Recipients were separated into two categories based on their vulnerability.

Elderly people, pregnant women and people with physical disabilities received unconditional cash assistance to meet their immediate food needs. The other participants joined the conditional cash-for-work program, where they received cash as payment for working on important construction and debris clearing projects determined by local leaders.

Marie-Flore (right) with other cash-for-work employees clearing rubble on a mountainside.

Marie-Flore is one of thousands of beneficiaries working under the program, an opportunity that alleviated her and her family’s dire situation. “When I was informed that I was selected, I was really very happy,” said Marie-Flore. The money she received, she reflected, helped her buy food for her family, including her baby.

Marie-Flore shared that she’s happy and proud to take part in the program, because she not only gets money to feed her baby, but she is also working to improve her community.

CORE has proudly served Haitians for the last 15 years, through times of intense crisis and instability. We also remain committed to Haiti beyond emergency response, empowering local communities through education, health, climate resilience, urban renewal, community development, and food security activities. Learn more about our ongoing programs in the country.