Haiti

HAITI

A. THE COUNTRY

The Republic of Haiti is a Caribbean country.  Along with the Dominican
Republic, it occupies the island of Hispaniola.  Haiti is the poorest
country in the Americas with overpopulation, deforestation, soil
erosion, pollution and hurricanes.  Political instability, corruption
and crime prevent proper aid distribution and long-term investment.  The
2010 magnitude 7.0 earthquake devastated much of the little economic and
physical infrastructure that did exist.  The human suffering was immense
in the immediate aftermath and will continue for years.  The psyche of
the people and the loss of life, combined with the massive influx of
international aid and assistance, may profoundly reshape how politics
are done in Haiti.

B. THE PEOPLE

The population prior to the 2010 earthquake was over 10 million.  There
are two main ethnic groups: African Caribbean 94.3%, and Mulatto
(Eurafrican) 5.4%.  The official language is French (10% speak it).
Common languages are Haitian Creole, English and Spanish.

C. RELIGION AND CHRISTIANITY/PENTECOSTALISM

Haitians mainly identify themselves as “Christian”, but many if not most Hatian Catholics have also dabbled in voodo.  Evangelical Christians have
steadily grown in number and represent 16% of the population.  Catholics
represent over 69%.  Charismatics are ~8%, and of those ~5% are
Pentecostals.  There has been a spiritual outpouring of faith in God in
the aftermath of the earthquake.