Haiti faces a major humanitarian crisis marked by extreme violence and gang control, leading to numerous killings and the displacement of thousands of individuals. A coalition of UN agencies and NGOs called for urgent action to stop the brutality and provide international support. As the situation deteriorates, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime announced a commitment to combating the gangs responsible for the unrest.
A recent report from a coalition of UN agencies, NGOs, and donors highlights a “wave of extreme brutality” engulfing Haiti. Numerous killings and thousands have been displaced from their homes, indicating a severe escalation of violence. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs stated that entire families have been murdered in their homes, with innocent victims, including children and infants, shot as they attempted to escape.
Gangs currently dominate significant territories in Haiti, particularly within the capital, despite the deployment of additional police personnel as part of a Kenya-led multinational security support mission. The report expressed deep concern over the alarming and inhumane levels of violence, which have reportedly resulted in many fatalities since January.
Approximately 6,000 individuals have fled from the Kenscoff area, with another 2,000 seeking refuge from other neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince such as Delmas and Pétion-Ville. Those affected by the violence urge all involved parties to terminate this cycle of terror and restore order in the region.
Residents reported new violent incidents, including an attack during which gang members set a house ablaze with occupants inside. One survivor recounted escaping from an assault that caught vigilante forces off guard. Haiti, as the poorest nation in the Americas, has grappled with instability for years, worsening significantly when gangs coordinated attacks last year, seeking to compel the resignation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
Following his resignation, power was transferred to an interim government that, with the assistance of the multinational security support mission, continues to contend with gang control. Currently, the UN-backed MSS consists of around 1,000 personnel from six participating nations, predominantly from Kenya, which is short of the initially planned 2,500.
The UN has continuously requested increased support and resources for Haiti, where approximately one million people are now displaced due to escalating violence. Last week, the UN issued a funding appeal exceeding $900 million for humanitarian aid in Haiti this year, reflecting a significant increase from 2024’s appeal, which received only partial funding.
In the previous year, gang violence was linked to 5,600 deaths and 1,500 kidnappings, along with nearly 6,000 incidents of gender-based violence, a majority of which were sexual assaults. During a speech commemorating his first 100 days in office, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime affirmed that authorities are engaged in a war against the gangs, reiterating the commitment to empower the police, military, and MSS to neutralize these criminal entities.
In summary, Haiti is experiencing an unprecedented surge in violence described as a “wave of extreme brutality,” characterized by numerous killings and widespread displacement. The UN and humanitarian organizations are calling for immediate action to quell this violence and restore stability. With systemic issues exacerbated by gang control, the need for international support and resources is pressing in order to address the humanitarian crisis plaguing the nation.
Original Source: www.france24.com
