UN evacuates staff as violence escalates in Haiti
- The UN has ordered the evacuation of its staff from Port-au-Prince due to gang-fueled violence.
- Clashes have intensified between armed gangs and the police, resulting in significant disruptions and dangerous conditions.
- Urgent appeals are being made for a strengthened international peacekeeping operation to address the escalating violence.
Haiti has been experiencing a significant increase in insecurity, prompting the United Nations to refrain from its usual operations in Port-au-Prince. Over the past weeks, clashes between armed gangs, police, and civilians have intensified, leading to the closure of the main international airport due to gunfire incidents. The UN's decision to evacuate staff comes as a response to these dangerous conditions, with many foreign embassies also shuttering or limiting their staff presence. In addition to the evacuation, critical operations by humanitarian organizations, such as Doctors Without Borders, have been suspended due to targeted attacks against their personnel. There is an urgent need for a strengthened peacekeeping mission, as calls for a full-scale intervention have intensified.