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The ongoing crisis in Haiti has escalated as over 17,000 people have been forced to seek refuge in 15 displacement camps around the capital, Port-au-Prince. The surge in displaced persons, described as the largest wave since August 2023, is a direct result of expanding gang control, which has left the national police overwhelmed and severely under-resourced.
The situation in Port-au-Prince has deteriorated to a critical point, with essential supply chains collapsing. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), access to the capital’s main port remains heavily restricted, while gang-controlled roadways prevent crucial aid from reaching those in need. This isolation is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.
“The inability to access 80% of Port-au-Prince creates severe challenges for humanitarian workers who are striving to assist affected populations,” stated Grégoire Goodstein, the IOM’s director in Haiti. He underscored the gravity of the issue, emphasizing that the isolation of the capital is worsening the humanitarian conditions throughout the entire country.
The crisis in Haiti is marked by widespread violence, with at least 4,000 deaths reported this year alone due to gang-related activity, according to the United Nations Office for Human Rights. The unchecked violence has resulted in numerous forms of abuse, including a troubling rise in gender-based violence. Women and children are bearing a disproportionate burden of the crisis, with displaced Haitian women facing a 94% higher risk of violence, according to reports.
Among the most alarming developments is the use of sexual violence as a tool of terror. Humanitarian agencies have noted a surge in reports of such abuses, highlighting the extent of the suffering faced by those who have been displaced.
The crisis in Port-au-Prince underscores the challenges faced by both local and international actors. With key infrastructure under gang control and minimal government capacity to respond effectively, the city’s population remains trapped in a cycle of insecurity and deprivation. Humanitarian agencies have been working tirelessly to provide aid, but their efforts are hampered by the very conditions they seek to alleviate.
The plight of the displaced population in Haiti highlights the urgent need for international support and a coordinated effort to stabilize the region. Without immediate intervention, the cycle of violence and displacement is likely to worsen, with devastating consequences for the nation’s most vulnerable populations.
