January 2022 News From Pignon
As a difficult year finishes, another is coming. 2021 was a difficult year for Haiti in general and the Pignon community in particular. Marked by economic and political difficulties among others the previous year, Pignon continues to experience bad days.
The population of Pignon lives in an extremely difficult situation. As in previous years, food is one of the toughest challenges facing the community. Misery is in full swing. Household purchasing power continues to be limited. Pignon families can do nothing about this scourge.
As far as the economy is concerned, Pignon does not escape the difficulties experienced by the Dessalinian soil. After the Haitian government increased fuel prices, basic necessities experienced a dizzying price spike. For example, a bag of water that used to sell for 2.5 gourdes now sells for 5 gourdes, which is double. In addition to basic necessities, public transport is also included. Like the Pignon – Port-au-Prince route, which saw a 50% increase due to changes in the price of gas at the pump (from 500 to 750 gourdes).
Pignon is not exempt from the chaotic situations that plunge Haiti into a situation of chronic instability. From a political point of view, after the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in his private residence in Pèlerin 5 (Pétion-ville) on July 7, 2021, politicians are unable to organize elections to provide the country with a legitimate president. Pignon, like all the other municipalities in the country, does not have its representative in the chamber. For more than a year, the commune has not been run by legitimate local authorities.
Despite all the daily difficulties, the population celebrated the end of the year and New Year celebrations. Traditional programs took place. With the little they have, it can be seen that people responded to all celebrations. However, instead of improving, people’s situations are proving desperately more difficult in Pignon.
PS: a fever accompanied by a flu, a cough and a sore throat are symptoms present in almost all the families in the commune of Pignon since the end of December until today including my own family. This fever lasts more than a week and the other symptoms are continuous (duration unknown). We have been told that it is a seasonal fever but not everyone accepts it.
Darling Seriphin