Teams are Back

GOOD NEWS!  RMI is opening up for teams starting in September of this year.  Here are several significant things that have changed to make this possible.  

1.  Covid testing (required to get on a flight going to or leaving Haiti) is now available at the Bonne Fin Hospital in south Haiti.  There is also a “home” testing kit available that satisfies travel requirements.  That test kit is available in the US and can be purchased and carried to Haiti to use when you leave. 

2.  There are flights available from Port-au-Prince to Les Cayes so we don’t have to drive through the capital.  We are doing this due to the insecurity and political tensions there.  Currently, the south is free and open.  

3.  Haiti has opened and has resumed close to normal activity as a country. 

4.  RMI staff feel comfortable in hosting teams in-country. 

However, for these teams to take place, RMI is having to make some, hopefully, temporary changes to the way things have been handled in the past. 

Teams and projects provide a substantial portion of Haiti’s operating budget.  However, as you know, this past year and a half, we have had to cancel most of our teams.  This has caused great economic hardship for our Haiti Field budget.  RMI has had to subsidize the Haiti budget substantially over the last number of months.  RMI desires to maintain full staff and operations on the field so we can continue to maintain our C3 program at the highest level.  Consequently, we cannot continue to subsidize the cost of in-country air travel as we have done in the past.  We pray that this will be a temporary situation.

PROCEDURES AND CONDITIONS FOR TEAMS WANTING TO GO TO HAITI THIS FALL – September to December 2021.  (These conditions and costs will continue into 2022 unless situations and regulations change.  As things change, we will let you know.) 

1. Schedule Your Team:  As you have in the past, look at the RMI calendar online and pick a date suitable to you.  We can only take the first 2 teams that schedule for September.  We will handle more teams in October, November, and December since our missionary staff will be back from summer home assignments.  The teams in September might have only Haitian staff to host them, which we know is fine, but we want to make you are aware of it.  Once you find a date, please email the Haiti field at partnerships.haiti@rmibridge.org to get confirmation from them for your date.  First come, first served, so get your request in right away.  (Please do NOT email Lee or Dawn directly.  Thanks.)

2. UPDATED COST:  The MED (in-country costs) remains the same but we’ve had to add the cost of the domestic airline flight as well as the cost of the Covid test.  Please contact the partnership email to find out the appropriate costs for your team.

3.  In-country flights:  RMI will make all arrangements for flights from Port-au-Prince to Les Cayes.  However, should there be issues or delays resulting in a team needing to spend a night in Port-au-Prince, the cost would have to be borne by the team. We have not had a problem so far but just wanted you to be aware of the possibility.  There are luggage/weight restrictions with the domestic airlines which are stricter than the international airlines coming into the country.  These details will be discussed with each team before their arrival so everyone will know what you can or can’t bring.

4.  Covid Testing:   Team members are personally responsible to pay for the Covid tests both coming and going.  Currently, all people wanting to fly TO Haiti must have a negative Covid test within 3 days of travel to Haiti to be able to get on the plane.  The same is for returning to the States.  You must have a negative Covid test within 3 days of getting on the plane to come back to the US.  As of this writing, no statements have been made concerning those who have received a vaccine.  For all RMI teams, the testing must be done in the Les Cayes (south Haiti) area, so that if there is a positive test, RMI staff will be able to care for you at RMI facilities until such time as a negative result can be obtained.  If this were to happen, the individual would be responsible to cover all costs involved.  Be aware this could delay your return by several days to possibly two weeks or more. 

5. Maximum Team size:  8 people.  This is due to the capacity of the domestic airlines that are available for in-country flights. 

6.  Team Ministry:   Anything you would want to do. The teams would be handled as normal at the church sites.  If you would like to make any changes, please discuss them with the Haiti field through the Haiti partnership email.  Due to Covid testing issues, you might have to leave your C3 partner church a little earlier than you have done in the past.

For any questions, please email the Haiti Field.  We look forward to your visit!