UN Extends Kenya-led Force to Combat Gangs in Haiti
- Nearly 6,000 people in Haiti are starving, with almost half of the population facing crisis levels of hunger due to gang violence.
- The U.N. Security Council has extended the mandate of a Kenya-led multinational force to address the escalating violence, which has disrupted food supply chains.
- The ongoing crisis highlights the urgent need for international support and effective intervention to alleviate the suffering of the Haitian people.
Haiti is currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis, with nearly 6,000 individuals reported to be starving and almost half of the population experiencing crisis levels of hunger. This alarming situation has escalated over the past year, with an increase of 1.2 million people facing emergency and famine levels of hunger, primarily due to rampant gang violence that disrupts food supply chains and prevents safe access to food. The gangs control approximately 80% of Port-au-Prince, exacerbating the food insecurity crisis as inflation rises, making food unaffordable for many families. The violence has also led to significant loss of life, with thousands killed or injured and many more displaced from their homes. The international community is responding, with the U.N. Security Council extending the mandate of a Kenya-led multinational force aimed at addressing the gang violence. However, the situation remains dire, as the force is underfunded and understaffed, falling short of the necessary personnel to effectively restore order. The ongoing violence and instability continue to hinder humanitarian efforts, leaving many Haitians in desperate need of assistance and unable to secure basic necessities for survival.