AGP Executive Report

Public Health Watch: Haiti and the Dominican Republic are responding to suspected anthrax cases in Haiti’s Grand’Anse, with the Dominican Republic reporting no registered cases while boosting surveillance; Haitian teams are investigating 13 suspected cases in Baliverne, including two deaths, with exposure possibly linked to sick livestock. Telecom & Digital Infrastructure: NATCOM launched a 5G pilot phase in Haiti on Sept. 7, with early coverage focused around Port-au-Prince, Pétion-ville, and Delmas, aiming to modernize digital infrastructure and expand financial inclusion. Education & Skills: Haiti opened the 2026-2027 school year under “Yon lekòl pou tout moun,” emphasizing inclusion and equal access, while also announcing Italy-based postgraduate scholarship applications (including life sciences, biotech, and space science/technology) due Sept. 30. Safety & Accountability: Haitian journalist Joseph Willard Vancol, director of Ti Boukan FM and linked to ITECA, was found dead nearly three weeks after abduction, prompting calls for a swift, credible investigation to protect community media workers. Security Tech Debate (Regional): A Miami budget hearing highlighted controversy over police use of ALPR cameras, raising concerns about tracking people beyond suspected crimes. Cross-Border Tech for Rights: Canal+ and LaLiga signed an anti-piracy pact covering Haiti and nearly 50 countries, combining anti-piracy tools with joint investigations.

Haiti–Tech & Connectivity: NATCOM launched a 5G pilot phase in Haiti, with early coverage focused around Pétion-ville, Port-au-Prince center areas, and Delmas, aiming to modernize digital infrastructure and expand financial inclusion. Haiti–Health & Borders: The Dominican Republic strengthened anthrax surveillance after Haiti investigated 13 suspected cases in Grand’Anse; officials say there’s no confirmed public health emergency and are focusing on livestock-linked exposure. Haiti–Education & Science Skills: Haiti opened applications for an IILA scholarship covering life sciences, biotechnology, and space science/technology, with a Sept. 30 deadline. Haiti–Public Safety & Media: Haitian community radio host Joseph Willard Vancol was found dead after abduction near Gressier; CPJ is urging a swift, credible investigation and stronger protections for journalists. Haiti–Infrastructure: DINEPA inaugurated a drinking-water supply system in Vallières with IDB and UNICEF support, while repairs began on the Limite Bridge to improve safety and transport in the north. Regional Tech & Security: Across Latin America, armed drones are rising fast, and governments are struggling to keep up.

Public Health & Biosecurity: The Dominican Republic says it has no anthrax cases, but has boosted surveillance while Haitian authorities investigate 13 suspected anthrax cases in Grand’Anse; two deaths are reported and exposure is being linked to sick livestock. Telecom & Digital Infrastructure: NATCOM launched a 5G pilot in Haiti, with early coverage focused around Port-au-Prince commercial and administrative areas, Pétion-ville, and Delmas. Education & STEM Pathways: Haiti opened applications for an Italy-based scholarship program covering life sciences/biotech and space science/technology, plus other tracks; the 2026-2027 school year also kicked off with an inclusion-focused theme. Safety for Media Workers: Haitian community radio host Joseph Willard Vancol was found dead after abduction near Gressier; CPJ is urging a swift, credible investigation and stronger protections for journalists. Science & Environment: A study warns Caribbean queen conch marine protected areas may lose the climate conditions the species needs within two decades, threatening livelihoods across the region. Tech & Crime: A new report says armed drones are spreading fast across Latin America, with governments struggling to keep up.

Telecom Upgrade in Haiti: NATCOM launched a 5G pilot phase on Sept. 7, with early coverage focused around Port-au-Prince commercial and administrative areas, Pétion-ville hotel/business zones, and dense Delmas neighborhoods—aimed at modernizing digital infrastructure and boosting inclusion. Education Access: Haiti kicked off the 2026–2027 school year with a “One School for Everyone” push for inclusion and equal opportunities, while the Foreign Ministry opened applications for IILA–MAECI/DGCS scholarships (deadline Sept. 30) covering life sciences, biotech, space science/tech, renewable energy, and more. Border Tech & Security: The Dominican Republic highlighted expanding border-control infrastructure with surveillance tech and fiber-optic links, as it continues building and reinforcing its Haiti border fence. Public Health & Safety: A new large U.S. study finds Medicaid enrollees with autism die at higher rates from largely preventable causes like drowning, flu, and pneumonia—raising urgent questions about routine safety and care access. Community Media Under Threat: Haitian journalist Joseph Willard Vancol, Ti Boukan FM director and ITECA coordinator, was found dead after abduction—prompting calls for a swift, credible investigation. Science Policy Lens: A global campaign called “The Crosswalk” uses interactive visuals to spotlight escalating attacks on schools and universities worldwide.

Haiti TPS Fight: Haitian community advocates and Brooklyn leaders are pushing Congress to pass a bill that would extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians through 2029, while DHS actions and court-linked moves keep the future uncertain. DHS Backlash: A DHS social post offering $3,000 for Haitians to “self-deport” sparked outrage online, with critics saying it mocks Haitian professionals and deepens fear after deportations. Education Under Attack: A new report for the International Day to Protect Education from Attack highlights a sharp rise in attacks on schools and universities, naming Haiti among affected countries—raising alarms for learning, safety, and long-term recovery. Drones & Crime: A regional report finds armed-drone incidents in Latin America surged, with governments struggling to keep up—relevant as Haiti and the region face growing security tech pressures. Climate & Food Security: A peer-reviewed study warns Caribbean queen conch marine protected areas may lose the ocean conditions the species needs within two decades, threatening livelihoods across the region. Science & Health: A large study estimates people with autism face a 14-year life expectancy gap, pointing to excess mortality that may be preventable.

Education Under Attack: A new Global Coalition to Protect Education from Attack tally says deliberate attacks on schools and universities surged in 2024–25, with Haiti among the countries hit hard—plus reports of military use of education sites. Haitian TPS Pressure: Haitian Temporary Protected Status ended July 27, and the fallout keeps spreading across the U.S., including cases tied to ICE ankle monitors and community calls for legal protection. Local Advocacy for TPS: Haitian-American leaders in Brooklyn pushed Congress to pass a bill that would extend TPS for Haitians through 2029, urging pressure on Republican senators. Faith & Peacebuilding: Haitian faith leaders and scholars gathered online to discuss how religious communities can help build a culture of peace and nonkilling amid violence. Seafloor Mysteries: Unverified claims about geometric “sunken city” patterns near Cuba and Haiti are reigniting interest in ocean mapping projects—though scientists haven’t confirmed anything man-made. Caribbean Climate Risk: A study warns queen conch marine protected areas may lose the conditions the species needs within two decades, even if fishing rules hold.

Haitian TPS fallout: Haitian Temporary Protected Status ended July 27, stripping legal status and work rights from about 350,000 people; communities warn of chaos if returns happen while gang violence still makes Port-au-Prince unsafe. DHS backlash: A DHS post offering $3,000 for Haitians to “self-deport” sparked outrage online, with critics saying it mocks Haitian professionals and worsens harm. Springfield tragedy: Haitian student Pierre Damas Bel’s death in Ohio is tied by his family to ICE ankle-monitoring after TPS loss, raising fresh questions about how immigration enforcement affects mental health. Education under attack: The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation launched “The Crosswalk” in Paris and Geneva for Sept. 9, using interactive visuals to track verified attacks on schools. Climate science for Haiti’s region: A study warns queen conch marine protected areas may lose suitable conditions abruptly by mid-century, shifting conservation from fisheries management to climate risk. Tech & security: A DR-wide earthquake drill tested online registration and drone/tech response tools, while a separate report flags drones becoming a go-to weapon for organized crime across Latin America. Culture & Haiti’s roots: The documentary “Black Zombie” traces zombie origins to Haitian history and Vodou traditions.

TPS Fallout for Haiti: Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status officially ended July 27, stripping work authorization from about 350,000 Haitians and triggering knock-on harm for families and care work in the U.S., including reports of disabled people losing Haitian caregivers. Border Tech & Infrastructure: The Dominican Republic has started building a 14.5-kilometer border fence section with Haiti, with patrol roads and surveillance towers, as part of its “Strong Border” plan to curb smuggling. Education Under Attack: On the International Day to Protect Education from Attack, a new report highlights thousands of attacks on schools and universities in 2024–2025, with Haiti named among places where families worry education can survive violence. AI & Cybersecurity in Haiti: Haiti’s government is pushing an AI roadmap and creating a first laboratory focused on cybersecurity and AI, alongside strategic exchanges with Huawei. Drones and Organized Violence: A new report warns drone use by armed groups is surging across Latin America, with governments struggling to keep up. Clean Water (Local Science in Action): A community forum in Hackensack spotlights a Hands Helping Haiti project installing household water filters and hygiene education in southeast Haiti. Seafloor “Sunken City” Claims: Unverified UFO-style claims point to geometric patterns in seabed mapping near Cuba and Haiti, but scientists say no independent marine or archaeological work has confirmed anything.

TPS Fallout in the U.S.: Haitian Temporary Protected Status officially ended July 27, stripping legal status and work rights from about 350,000 Haitians, with families and care organizations warning of major disruptions—plus reports of ICE ankle-monitoring in Springfield, Ohio, where a Haitian student’s death is tied by his family to the monitoring. Community Response: Haitian faith leaders and scholars gathered in Springfield and online to push back against “dehumanizing” enforcement and to explore how religion can build peace across the Caribbean. Haiti Tech & Water: Haiti’s government is advancing AI planning, including a cybersecurity/AI lab, while a U.S.-based group promotes clean-water support in southeast Haiti via household filters and hygiene education. Hispaniola Border Tech: The Dominican Republic began building a 14.5 km border fence section with Haiti, adding towers and patrol lanes to curb smuggling. Science in the News (Unverified): Seabed mapping claims of a “sunken city” near Cuba and Haiti are circulating, but scientists have not confirmed any man-made structures.

Haiti TPS Fallout: The U.S. officially ended Temporary Protected Status for Haitians on July 27, stripping work rights from about 350,000 people and triggering fears of family separation and job losses, including in care work where Haitian caregivers are being laid off. Human Rights Watch: UN High Commissioner Volker Türk urged stronger migrant protections and accountability for deaths in detention, warning that the world’s human rights system is under strain as wars and polarization surge. Hispaniola Border Tech & Security: The Dominican Republic began building a 14.5-kilometer border fence with Haiti, adding watchtowers, culverts, and patrol lanes as part of its “Strong Border” plan to curb smuggling. Community & Peacebuilding: Haitian faith leaders and scholars gathered for a forum on how religious communities can help build a culture of peace and nonkilling. Clean Water in Haiti: A grassroots “Hands Helping Haiti” project is expanding household clean-water filters and hygiene education, with a Sept. 13 forum in Hackensack. Science Curiosity: A “sunken city” claim based on seafloor mapping near Cuba and Haiti is going viral, but marine scientists have not verified it.

Immigration & Health Care: Haitian TPS ended July 27, stripping legal status and work rights from about 350,000 people, and families in the U.S. say the fallout is hitting care workers and vulnerable patients fast. Community Impact: In Ohio, Haitian student Pierre Damas Bel’s death after an ICE ankle monitor has renewed scrutiny of how immigration enforcement affects mental health and safety. Local Border Tech & Security: The Dominican Republic has started building a 14.5-kilometre border fence with Haiti, adding watchtowers, culverts, and patrol lanes aimed at reducing smuggling. Peacebuilding & Society: Haitian faith leaders and scholars held an international forum on religion’s role in building peace and nonkilling across the Caribbean. Science & Curiosity: A “sunken city” claim is circulating after seafloor mapping patterns near Cuba and Haiti were flagged online—without any marine scientists confirming the idea. Water & Practical Tech: A Hands Helping Haiti forum highlights household clean-water filters and hygiene training, with thousands of systems already installed.

Immigration & Health Care: Haitian TPS expiry is leaving disabled Americans without caregivers as U.S. enforcement ramps up, with families scrambling after Haitian workers lose legal status and jobs. Human Impact: In Ohio, Haitian student Pierre Damas Bel, 20, died after being fitted with an ICE GPS ankle monitor; his family and supporters link the bullying and stress to policy. Border Security (Haiti/DR): The Dominican Republic has started building a 14.5-kilometer border fence with Haiti, adding watchtowers, culverts, and patrol lanes to curb smuggling. Clean Water (Haiti): A grassroots “Hands Helping Haiti” forum in Hackensack (Sept. 13) highlights household water filters and hygiene training, with 5,000+ systems installed. Science & Policy (AI in Haiti): Haiti’s government is pushing an AI roadmap and launching a first cybersecurity and AI lab, alongside ministry partnerships. Climate Risk (Haiti region): Nepal’s floods show how glacier collapse and extreme events can devastate communities—an urgent reminder for disaster-ready science.

Border Tech & Security: The Dominican Republic has started building a 14.5-kilometer perimeter fence along its southern border with Haiti, with 13-foot height, six watchtowers, 35 culverts, and patrol lanes meant to curb smuggling and speed responses. Public Health & Labs: A Caribbean forensic push is underway: the U.S. pledged $8M for regional lab upgrades and training, including synthetic-drug detection and shared standards to help link cases across islands. AI in Haiti: Haiti’s government is moving toward responsible AI adoption, including plans for a first cybersecurity-and-AI laboratory and a strategic exchange with Huawei. Clean Water in Haiti: A community forum in Hackensack (Sept. 13) spotlights Hands Helping Haiti’s clean-water work—household filters plus hygiene education, with 5,000+ systems installed. Immigration Policy Shock (Haiti-linked): In the U.S., Haitian TPS expiry is leaving families without caregivers and fueling crisis coverage, including the death of a Haitian student after an ICE ankle monitor and TPS loss.

Border Security & Infrastructure: The Dominican Republic has started a 14.5-kilometer border fence project in Jimaní, adding about 13-foot-high sections, surveillance towers, culverts, and patrol roads aimed at tightening control in a trafficking-prone area near Lake Azuey. Haiti’s AI Push: Haiti’s central bank (BRH) says it’s adopting AI as decision support—not a replacement for human judgment—while warning that concentrated AI funding could widen global inequality. Policy for Responsible AI: Four Haitian groups (Banj/ProIA, ISOC Haiti, ESIH, and ARAI) signed on to draft a national roadmap for responsible AI adoption. Entrepreneurship & Tech Incubators: Haiti’s Commerce Ministry launched calls tied to a university incubator network, targeting startups in areas like AI, health, agribusiness, and green economy. Rural Access for Farmers: In Grand’Anse, road rehabilitation under PARSA is nearing completion to help farmers reach markets. Cholera Science: A science explainer links cholera’s spread to Vibrio cholerae and the CTXΦ bacteriophage that enables toxin production. Immigration Shock (US, Haiti-linked): Coverage continues around Haitian TPS losses and the fallout for Haitian students and communities in the U.S.

Haitian Tech & AI Capacity: Haiti’s push into artificial intelligence keeps moving: the Central Bank of Haiti (BRH) is weighing AI’s opportunities and risks, while four groups (Banj/ProIA, ISOC Haiti, ESIH, and ARAI) are drafting a national roadmap for responsible AI adoption. UNITECH also announced its first lab focused on cybersecurity and AI, aiming to train researchers and partners to protect Haiti’s digital and financial systems. Startup Ecosystem: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry is rolling out the AIESU project to build a network of university incubators, starting with Quisqueya University, and selecting eight startups for six months of structured support across areas like AI, health, agribusiness, and the green economy. Green Energy Partnerships: The Ministry of Public Works met Huawei to discuss smart photovoltaic microgrids and battery storage to strengthen grid resilience and support Haiti’s energy transition. Rural Infrastructure for Food Security: In Grand’Anse, road rehabilitation under PARSA is nearing completion, with concrete strip and dirt road sections helping farmers reach markets more easily. Immigration Pressure on Haitian Students: In the U.S., Haitian TPS holders face renewed fear and scrutiny after the death of Haitian student Pierre Damas Bel in Ohio, with his family and supporters linking his suicide to the stress and stigma of ICE ankle monitoring after TPS loss.

US Immigration Policy Shock: After TPS ended for thousands of Haitians and other groups, El Salvador’s TPS is set to expire Sept. 9, with community leaders warning the loss will trigger ICE arrests and deportations. Human Cost in Ohio: Haitian student Pierre Damas Bel, 20, died in apparent suicide days after being fitted with an ICE GPS ankle monitor; his family and supporters link the bullying and stigma to his death, renewing calls to end ankle monitoring for people without criminal records. Haiti Tech & Research: Haiti’s UNITECH announced its first lab focused on cybersecurity and AI, while partners including Banj, ISOC Haiti, ESIH, and ARAI signed on to build a national roadmap for responsible AI adoption. AI for Finance & Policy: Haiti’s central bank (BRH) says it wants to use AI as decision support while managing risks to jobs and the financial system. Entrepreneurship Push: Haiti’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched AIESU, a program to back university startups via an incubator network, with a call for eight selected cohorts. Agriculture Infrastructure: In Grand’Anse, rural road sections were provisionally accepted to help farmers reach markets under PARSA. Energy Partnerships: Haiti’s Public Works ministry met Huawei to discuss green power upgrades, including smart solar microgrids and energy management systems.