An Update on Recent Events in Port-au-Prince
| May 2026 – Port-au-Prince, Haiti For many years, 119 Avenue Christophe served as a central home for Fonkoze’s work in Port-au-Prince. Tragically, last week it was burned following escalating gang violence in the area. Though both Sèvis Finansye Fonkoze (SFF) and Fonkoze Foundation employees transitioned to working in other operational sites because of the gang violence in the area, this loss is deeply painful for our staff and for the many people who have passed through those doors over the years. While this destruction is heartbreaking, it is important for you to know that Fonkoze’s operations have not been affected. For more than two years, worsening insecurity in Port-au-Prince had already forced many organizations, including ours, to adapt. Due to growing gang activity around Avenue Christophe, staff and operations had been progressively decentralized before this incident. Teams from Sèvis Finansye Fonkoze (SFF) have continued serving clients through branches and operational sites across the country, and Fonkoze Foundation programs have been operating from alternate locations. As a result, no staff were present at the site when it was attacked. Across Haiti, SFF branches remain active, serving entrepreneurs, especially women and families who rely on access to financial services. Fonkoze Foundation’s teams continue accompanying communities through health, education, livelihoods, and poverty graduation programs. Our staff — many of whom are themselves directly affected by the crisis facing Haiti — continue to show extraordinary commitment to the people we serve. There is no way to separate this moment from the broader reality Haitians are facing every day. The destruction of infrastructure, displacement of families, and persistent insecurity continue to place enormous pressure on communities and institutions alike. Yet even amid these conditions, our teams continue to do their work.We grieve the loss of a place that held years of history and meaning. At the same time, we move forward with clarity about what truly sustains Fonkoze: our staff, our clients, our partners, and the trust that has been built over many years. Thank you for standing with us during this difficult period and for continuing to believe in the strength and determination of the Haitian communities we serve. In the words of former Fonkoze CEO Anne Hastings, “The Fonkoze spirit does not reside in a building, but in the people who serve.” While the destruction of this building marks a painful loss, the mission and community behind Fonkoze remain intact and committed to moving forward. With solidarity, Erlantz Hyppolite, Executive Director, Fonkoze USA Carine Roenen, Executive Director, Fonkoze Foundation Dominique Boyer, CEO, Fonkoze Financial Services |