Gang violence displaces 1.3 million people in Haiti

Haiti faces a humanitarian crisis as gang violence has displaced an alarming 1.3 million people, according to a recent report from the United Nations’ International Organization for Migration (IOM). The report indicates a significant increase of 24% in displacement since December, highlighting the dire circumstances confronting the nation with nearly 12 million residents. The violence has been primarily concentrated in Port-au-Prince, but it has also spread to the surrounding regions, especially in the areas north of the capital where gunmen have pursued their aggressive campaigns. The report emphasizes that more than 230,000 individuals have become homeless due to the ongoing gang activity, which has left their homes in ruins or subjected them to threats. As a consequence, the number of makeshift shelters has surged by over 70%, rising from 142 to 246, with many of these now being established in regions previously considered safe, such as the central parts of Haiti. In a worrying development, it marks the first instance where areas outside of Port-au-Prince have recorded more shelters compared to the capital itself. The increased violence has led to a growing number of residents taking refuge with friends and family, with more than 80% of the displaced population relying on personal connections for shelter. Conditions in these makeshift accommodations are often dreadful, particularly in crowded environments within Port-au-Prince, where many individuals have been forced to settle in abandoned government buildings. Access to basic necessities is severely lacking; those displaced report significant challenges in securing health care, education, and clean water, prompting already vulnerable families to struggle even harder for survival. This situation has raised alarms within the international community as officials continue to seek effective solutions to address the crisis. Leaders from the U.N., the Inter-American Development Bank, and Haitian government officials convened shortly after the IOM report's release to deliberate on potential interventions. Bob Rae, the president of the U.N.’s Economic and Social Council, remarked that the crisis continues to worsen, with the underlying connections between development and security becoming increasingly apparent. He noted that gang control now encompasses an estimated 85% of Port-au-Prince, exacerbated by the alarming trend of gang recruitment among children in Haiti. Efforts to curb gang activity are underway, including a U.N.-backed mission involving Kenyan police forces; however, it currently faces the challenges of being underfunded and understaffed. With only 1,000 personnel on ground out of a proposed 2,500, the mission’s effectiveness is called into question. Moreover, Rae urged that the international community seeks broader bilateral discussions beyond the U.N. Security Council, highlighting the necessity of engaging with countries such as the U.S., U.K., and various nations in Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean.