As a result of the Haitian gangs’ successful terrorization of the impoverished nation, thousands of people have been massacred, the capital has been overrun, former Haitian Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry has resigned, and citizens have fled their homes.
Following days of escalating violence in the Caribbean country by an alliance of armed gangs, the director of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) warned that gangs are increasing their attacks on regions they do not yet control.
- Advertisement -
The U.N. Security Council, which approved the deployment of an international security force to assist police in restoring order more than a year ago, was briefed by Maria Isabel Salvador, who stated that the situation in Haiti had unfortunately become worse.
Only a small portion of the more than 3,000 troops that a few nations promised to have shown up thus far. Additionally, funding has been slow, and Viv Ansanm, a coalition of armed and well-equipped gangs, has spread throughout the city and neighboring areas.
The capital, its suburbs, the farming area, and the city known for creating the Haitian flag have all seen an increase in attacks in the last week, according to Salvador, whose citizens have been under a prolonged siege and are requesting more security forces.
“Spreading terror and fear, overwhelming the national security apparatus,” she continued, referring to the proliferation of violence from both land and water.
She also stated that the foreign mission supporting the national police is still “critically under-resourced, which could impact deployment and impede it from carrying out its tasks.”
The prime minister and presidential council, respectively, lead the nation’s dual executive, and she cautioned that growing conflicts between them are further undermining public confidence in the government.
The U.N. estimates that since last Thursday, more than 4,200 people have fled their houses in new attacks across the city, with the majority seeking safety in temporary camps in schools, churches, and health facilities.
Prime Minister Garry Conille declared on October 22, 2024, that he had quickly recalled several hundred police and soldiers from VIP protection briefings so they could be moved into battle zones, while national police stated they were deploying to several places where the fighting flared this week.
About 700,000 people have been forced from their homes by the violence, which has also damaged the nation’s food resources, leaving many suffering famine conditions and an estimated 5 million others going hungry.
