After the holiday on November 1st and 2nd we were not sure what was going to happen the rest of the week. But it seemed like people were fed up of staying at home and are trying to get back to normal.
So life kind of looks normal here in the North, some schools are open, people are moving around and there are some vehicles on the road. However fuel has not been available at the pump for more than two weeks now. Some hospitals are close to shutting down because they do not have diesel for their generators. The only place to buy any fuel is at the side of the street for $20 (US) a gallon and I have a few questions about that.
Firstly, how is anyone affording to pay that? If I filled up the car we drive it would cost at least $300 US.
Secondly, where is the black market getting its fuel from?
I wish I knew the answers to these questions. Anyone I have asked doesn't know the answers either.
It is extremely frustrating that there is fuel in the country and that people are paying the extortionately high prices for what they can find therefore the problem continues on. As far as we hear gangs are continuing to block fuel coming from Port au Price. The gangs have said they will continue to do that until the current prime minister steps down. So we continue to watch, wait and pray.
Last week Emmaus did fill up the van with diesel from the generator so I have been at work the past 3 days and the boys went to school but we cannot really continue to do that so we really don't know what next week will bring.
Emmaus did have classes last week including 3 masters courses where students had to come everyday. The courses were offered in person and on zoom and everyday there were students who were not able to come due to transportation issues. Emmaus has a massive advantage over other schools and universities in the country, firstly we have solar so we are not dependent on diesel to run a generator for electricity during the day. Secondly the majority of students arrive on a Sunday and stay all week so they do not have to worry about transportation to and from Emmaus everyday.
Bethesda has been open and receiving patients. Not all of our staff are able to come and those who are coming are paying a ridiculously high price to get there as are our patients. I talked with one patient on Friday, usually she pays 75 gourdes to get from where she lives to Bethesda on Friday she paid 375gourdes and that was only one way. Just imagine how it would affect you if the price of public transport was now 4 - 5 times the normal price or the cost of filling your car up was almost ten times the cost. There is only so long this can go on.
Before this many people were struggling, now I have no idea how anyone is paying that sort of price for transport.
Bethesda is pretty low on fuel and it is affecting our water supply as we need electricity to pump the water. We have cut back as much as we can but we do need electricity for water, lights, fans and to run lab tests and X ray. There is talk that boats are coming into Cap Haitian with fuel but much of this fuel has gone to places like banks, hospitals and the phone company.
You can read the latest update from Bethesda here.
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