Violence in Haiti driven by a top gang leader’s attempt to overthrow the prime minister has led to more than 15,000 people fleeing their homes, many of which have been destroyed, exacerbating the country’s sense of despair and lawlessness.
Nicolas, one of the displaced individuals, described how armed gangs forced him out of his home, destroyed his house, and left him living on the streets, feeling like an animal.
The situation escalated over the weekend when Prime Minister Ariel Henry traveled to Kenya to finalize a deal for the deployment of foreign troops in Haiti. In response, Haiti’s fragile government declared a state of emergency after inmates escaped from two major prisons and heavy gunfire erupted in the capital.
The return date for Prime Minister Henry to Haiti is uncertain.
Several embassies have recalled their staff, and the neighboring Dominican Republic has refused to establish refugee camps.
The United Nations reported that at least 15,000 people were displaced due to the violence over the weekend.
Jasmine, who had to flee her home without any of her belongings, including her underwear, expressed her desperation at a shelter. She felt lost and unsure of what to do.
Reynold Saint-Paul, a resident of the Lalue neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, sought refuge at a shelter in search of water, a resource becoming increasingly scarce in the capital.
Since assuming power following the assassination of Haiti’s former president in 2021, Prime Minister Henry has seen violent gangs expand their control. Despite initially promising to step down by early February, he has postponed the process due to security concerns.
A specific deployment date for the U.N.-backed multinational security mission has not been set. By late February, only five nations had officially pledged troops, and less than $11 million had been deposited into a fund for the mission.
The U.N. estimates that the conflict with gangs resulted in the deaths of nearly 5,000 people last year and forced around 300,000 individuals from their homes.
(Reporting by Steven Aristil; Writing by Valentine Hilaire; Editing by Stephen Coates)
