15th May 2026

Haiti rarely makes the international media. Nevertheless, clashes between gangs in the suburbs of the Haitian capital Port au Prince have left at least 78 dead and 66 wounded  in the past week. The violence since last weekend has also displaced some 5,300 people. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that they treated 40 gunshot victims at their hospital in less than 12 hours but subsequently were  forced to suspend medical operations and evacuate their staff. The violence since last weekend has also displaced some 5,300 people. adding to the 8,000 people displaced in March and April. One local resident, Monique Verdieux, took to the highway after watching armed men burning houses in her neighbourhood. Her family fled in different directions and she said she’s not sure where they are. “I am now sleeping in the street,” she said.

Loving God, we cry with our neighbours in Haiti who are suffering extreme violence, death and the destruction of their homes and livelihoods. We cry with those who now have no homes to return to, and no where to go and so, like Monique, they sleep on the streets.  We cannot imagine the fear, anxiety and pain they are suffering and how they manage to survive each day. We ask for your protection for all who seek to bring humanitarian aid to desperate people. We pray that the international community will turn its attention to the plight of the people in Haiti and support the authorities in bringing law and order and an end to gang violence.  May people be able to live in peace  with one another.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, in collaboration with the Imo State Government in Nigeria, and with support from the Gates Foundation, has initiated efforts to strengthen maternal and child nutrition. Yesterday, UNICEF's Chief of Enugu Field Office, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe, commended the Imo Government for its commitment to investing in the Social Behaviour Change (SBC) strategy and the integration of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (MMS) for pregnant women.  She described MMS as a “cost-effective intervention that helps reduce anaemia, low birth weight, stillbirths, and other adverse maternal and child health outcomes”.  Chiluwe called for strong government ownership, coordinated implementation, and increased domestic investment. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Chioma Egu, said that SBC was designed to help individuals and families make healthier nutrition choices from pregnancy and infancy to childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and old age. “When a pregnant woman in a rural community receives MMS, she is not just taking a supplement – she is taking a step toward a healthier pregnancy, a stronger baby, and a brighter future for her family,” " Egu said.

Lord, as the sun rises on a new day

I give you praise and glory.

May my day be filled with worship.

You are the source of love,

and you give your love freely.

You have a kind and compassionate heart.

You are swift to be merciful.

Great is your name.

My soul praises your Holy name.

May your praise be sung though all the earth.

I thank you that through faith in your Son

Jesus Christ

my sin is forgiven

and I may share in his resurrection.

I give you thanks that when my time on earth is over

you have made provision for me

that I will continue to live in your Kingdom of love.

There I will rejoice with all the host of heaven

forever praising you and singing,

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of Your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Amen.