Haiti declares state of emergency amid gang violence nationwide

Haiti has declared a state of emergency across the entire nation as it grapples with escalating gang violence, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince. The situation worsened after a series of violent incidents, including prison breaks that led to thousands of inmates escaping. Initially, the state of emergency was implemented in the Ouest department on March 3, under the previous administration, and has since been expanded to include other regions severely affected by gang activities. Prime Minister Garry Conille has taken steps to address the crisis by distributing materials and weapons to the Haitian army and national police, aiming to reclaim territories controlled by gangs. This initiative comes as the U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Haiti, highlighting international attention on the country's security situation. The U.S. has been a significant supporter of a U.N.-backed security mission requested by former Prime Minister Ariel Henry in 2022. The mission has seen the arrival of 400 Kenyan police officers, with additional troops pledged by other nations, although they have yet to arrive. The mandate for this mission is due to expire at the beginning of October, raising concerns about the ongoing violence and instability in the country. The humanitarian impact of the violence is severe, with nearly 580,000 people displaced and close to 5 million facing acute hunger. The situation in Haiti underscores the urgent need for effective intervention and support to restore order and address the humanitarian crisis, as the government struggles to regain control over territories lost to gangs.