PRESS RELEASE

Port-au-Prince, October 28, 2026 – The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Religious Affairs, Her Excellency Ms. Raina Forbin, held a meeting this Wednesday, October 28, 2026, with leaders of the Vodou sector, focusing on strengthening the dialogue between the State and the representatives of this religious denomination, as well as on the modalities of use of the support fund allocated to it.

On this occasion, the Minister announced that, for the first time, the Vodou sector has a budget allocation, as do other recognized religious denominations in Haiti. This allocation of 50 million gourdes—approved by the Council of Ministers under the leadership of the Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, within the framework of the budget adopted on September 30, 2026—is intended to support initiatives of collective interest for the benefit of the sector.

The Minister also celebrated the recent swearing-in of twelve *houngans* and *mambos* before the Court of First Instance in Port-au-Prince, highlighting the importance of this step in implementing the presidential decree of April 4, 2003, which recognizes Vodou as a religion with full legal standing. Furthermore, she announced that, from now on, the national *Ati* is among the individuals who can benefit from the protocolary privileges granted by the State—including access to a diplomatic passport—in accordance with the Decree of June 2, 2026.

During the meeting, participants expressed their satisfaction with these advances and praised Minister Raina Forbin's leadership and commitment to dialogue with the sector. Leaders of the Vodou sector also shared their concerns and proposals aimed at improving its structure. It was agreed to organize a follow-up consultation meeting.

The Chancellor also reaffirmed the commitment of the Government, headed by the Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, to strengthen dialogue with all religious leaders and to guarantee Vodou the same consideration as other religious denominations recognized by the State, in a spirit of institutional equity, mutual respect, and appreciation of Haitian cultural and spiritual heritage.