Hundreds of Haitians have established a camp in the main square of Port-au-Prince, indicating a worsening chaos as armed gangs continue to attack, forcing displaced people to move further downtown. The Gran Ravine gang, led by Renel Destina, has been overpowering the densely populated Carrefour Feuilles neighborhood for several weeks, resulting in the withdrawal of aid workers and the displacement of thousands of residents. The police, who lack sufficient resources, have been struggling to control the violence.
Dailove Pompilus recounted the tragic death of her 3-year-old child during a gang attack on her home in Carrefour Feuilles. According to her, the gang set fire to the house with her child still inside. Pregnant for nine months, she had no choice but to seek refuge in the central square of Port-au-Prince.
Another resident, Sophia Jean, had to flee her home with only her 8-month-old baby and the clothes she was wearing. She did not have time to take anything else. The United Nations estimates that over the past two weeks alone, more than 10,000 people have been displaced.
For the first time since the devastating earthquake in 2010, people have started camping in the Champ de Mars, the main square of the capital city. The square is home to historical monuments honoring the heroes of the Haitian Revolution. The camp in the square was formed after people moved from Place Jeremie, a makeshift camp about 1.5 kilometers (1 mile) away.
As of Friday, rights group CARDH estimated that around 100 people had settled in the square to escape the afternoon heat, while several hundred others sought shelter in nearby schools. Clerina Coffy, who fled from Place Jeremie with her three children, explained that they had no other option but to seek safety in the square.
Haiti’s ongoing gang warfare has resulted in approximately 2,500 deaths and 1,000 injuries since January, according to the United Nations. Kidnappings, lynchings, and sexual violence have become widespread. The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a plan to deploy international security assistance, which Haiti’s unelected government requested in October of last year. Despite a meeting between a Kenyan delegation and police chiefs last month, the controversial force has not materialized yet.
Reported by Harold Isaac, Jean Loobentz Cesar, and Ralph Tedy Erol in Port-au-Prince, with additional reporting by Sarah Morland in Mexico City. Editing by Andy Sullivan.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
