Soaring Violence in Haiti Leaves Over 150 Dead and 20,000 Displaced: UN
At least 150 people have been killed, 92 injured, and 20,000 displaced in Port-au-Prince over the past week, as gang violence in the Haitian capital intensifies, the United Nations reported. The death toll brings the total number of killings in Haiti this year to 4,544, with over 2,060 injured, according to UN human rights chief Volker Turk.
Since November 11, well-armed gangs—now controlling 80% of the capital—have escalated attacks in a bid for full dominance over the city of nearly four million residents. The violence has left Port-au-Prince “practically hostage,” with all major roads in and out of the city under gang control.
The UN described the latest surge as a harbinger of further chaos, warning that the country’s humanitarian crisis is worsening. Food and water shortages, the spread of infectious diseases, and an already collapsing health system have deepened the suffering for displaced residents, half of whom are children.
The ongoing violence is linked to “Viv Ansanm,” an alliance of gangs that helped oust former Prime Minister Ariel Henry earlier this year. At least 55% of the recent fatalities resulted from shootouts between gang members and Haiti’s outgunned police force, the UN said, while mob lynchings have also reportedly surged.
On November 19, Haitian authorities announced that police and self-defense groups had killed 28 gang members in overnight operations. However, similar reprisals have previously devolved into extreme violence, including an incident last year when residents stoned and burned alive a dozen suspected gang members.
A Kenyan-led international security force has been deployed to support Haiti’s beleaguered police, but their efforts have so far been insufficient to restore order. An estimated 700,000 Haitians have been displaced nationwide this year, with the UN warning that the real casualty and displacement figures may be significantly higher.
“The gang violence must be halted,” Turk stated, urging concrete steps to reestablish rule of law and protect civilians. He added, “Haiti must not be allowed to descend further into chaos.”
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