About Relief for Okap Fire
On Saturday, January 24th, a devastating fire swept through Marché Cluny in Cap-Haïtien, destroying one of the city’s most important economic centers. Established in the late 1800s, this historic market has stood for more than a century as a backbone of commerce in the North. For generations, Marché Cluny has been a place where families built livelihoods, passed down businesses, and sustained the local economy. Its destruction is not only a material loss, but a profound blow to the economic and cultural life of the city.
It’s unclear how this fire began, but its impact is undeniable and devastating. In a matter of hours, vendors lost everything they had worked to build. Inventory, equipment, and years of investment were reduced to ashes, wiping out their only source of income overnight. For many families, Marché Cluny was not simply a place of work. It was survival, stability, and the foundation of daily life.
What makes this loss even heavier is that many of these vendors are entrepreneurs who borrowed money from banks and lenders to start or grow their businesses. The fire did not erase their debt. While their goods are gone, loan payments remain, leaving many vendors facing financial collapse with no safety net and no income to fall back on.
That's where we, the Haitian Diaspora, come in. We can help our Haitian brothers and sisters immediately. P4H Global is launching a fundraiser that will transfer 100% of the funds directly into the hands of vendors who were affected by the fire. These will be cash relief grants designed to help vendors meet urgent needs, begin repaying debt, and take the first steps toward rebuilding their livelihoods with dignity.
We are calling on the Diaspora to stand with Okap in this critical moment. This is not charity. It is solidarity. Together, we can ensure that the people who keep our local economy alive are not left alone to carry this burden.
We will work in close collaboration with the city of Cap-Haïtien to identify the vendors in greatest need. Guided by local authorities and community leadership, funds will be distributed directly into the hands of affected vendors, prioritizing those who lost everything. With a fundraising goal of $20,000, we will be able to provide $100 cash grants to 200 vendors, offering immediate relief to help pay down urgent debts and take the first steps toward rebuilding their livelihoods with dignity.
Photo Credit: Sakapfet Okap