As violence in Haiti increases, there is talk of whether Port-au-Prince may fall entirely to the gangs.  The Multinational Security Support Mission, deployed too late and with two few members, has been unable to bring stability in Port-au-Prince or beyond.  Despite this, deportation of Haitians to Cap-Haitien continue.  Doing so has overwhelmed the city and put the lives of deportees at risk regardless of whether they stay, travel on roads frequented by bandits, or transit through Port-au-Prince which is primarily controlled by gangs.  Haitians, not for the first time, feel abandoned by the international community.

When the United States deports Haitians, they are sent to Cap Haitien in the north.  Women and children are afraid to take the road to Port-au-Prince where they may be raped by bandits.  Port-au-Prince remains extremely dangerous to transit though given that the vast majority of the city, despite the presence of a multi-national security force, is controlled by gangs.   Many deportees sleep rough in Cap Haitien knowing that their lives are at at risk if they leave.  The Cap Haitien municipality  does not have the resources to support them.  Faith based groups, a labor union, and several Haitians are sueing the United States over these deportations which were a  human rights violation under the Biden Administration just as it is under the Trump Administration now.  View the full article linked and below for more information. 

In recent days, 1,200 Haitians have been displaced by gang violence.  The Kenyan-led security force is under-staffed and under-equipped for pushing back gangs let alone holding cleared neighborhoods.  Even if they could, it is a temporary measure until there is an effective, accountable government in place.  So far the Transitional Presidential Council is remarkable only for the level of infighting.  Residents of contested neighborhoods lack food, water, and health care.  Reaching them is challenging for even the most professional humanitarian organisations.  Despite all this, other countries continue to send flights of deportees to Haiti which is reprehensible.  Read the fhe full article linked and below for more information. 

The Committee to Protect Journalists reports that globally no one is held to account in 80 percent of cases where journalists are targeted.  Haiti was included due to the aggression of criminal gangs who have destabilised already weak administrative and judicial institutions,  However, the targeted killing of journalists is not new in Haiti.  Jean Dominique, immortalised in a documentary entitled "The Agronomist", was murdered in 2000.  Israel was included for the at least 128 journalists and media workers killed amongst over 40,000 civilian casualties.  Journalists in Haiti, Gaza, and other conflict- affected countries around the world are heroes who deserve both respect and protection. The full Al Jazeera article is linked and below. 

At long last, a Kenyan advance team of police officers arrived in Haiti.  It is hoped the first security forces will arrive soon after.  With sufficient support, the Kenyan-led multi-national force (MSS) could eventually reach 2,500 security personnel. As 80% percent of of Port-au-Prince ia controlled by gangs and insecurity has metastasized in other departments as well, the MSS has a very challenging task ahead.  One hopes this will be the last foreign intervention in Haiti - but the seeds of insecurity will remain until the Haitian government invests in its own people and can maintain security.  The full article by Miami Herald journalist Jacqueline Charles is linked and follows. 

According to UNICEF, Haiti's health system is "on the verge of collapse" with six out of 10 hospitals in the country barely operational. UNICEF emphasised that violence, mass displacement, dangerous epidemics, and increasing malnutrition have put the country's already weakened health system under great strain but it may be supply chain breaks that cause it to collapse. Getting vital supplies, health care staff, and patients to where they need to be has become logistically challenging and dangerous due to gang-violence.  It remains unclear, even after all this time, when the Kenyan-led security force will arrive - and without security, access to health care will suffer.  The full BBC article by Jaroslav Lukiv follows.  

Even in more peaceful times, Haiti's patchwork system of governmental, charity, and private sector health care facilities were insufficient to meet the needs of the population.  Conflict with and between gangs has caused the situation to deteriorate further with over 30 private and public health care facilities having been vandalised or forced to close.  Those still open often lack staff, stocks, and security.  Haiti has only enough vaccines to last until the end of the month, health care facilities throughout the country struggle to have pharmaceuticals delivered through largely gang-controlled Port-au-Prince, and cholera is spreading on top of increasing food insecurity and malnutrition.  At this point, the situation is so difficult that re-establishing security would in and of itself be a health intervention.  The full article by Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald is linked and follows. 

In the past, Haitian politicians used and had influence over gangs.  Now the gangs hold the power, controlling 95% of Port-au-Prince as well as the Artibonite and Ouest departments. Gangs charge "fees" for using national roads, kidnap and have attacked government and civilian infrastructure, including the national airport, national palace, and a prison which freed 4,000 criminals, swelling their ranks.  Embassies and international NGOs are evacuating their staff leaving Haitians feeling abandoned when most in need.  A transition council is being formed and the Kenyan-led Multi-National Securtiy Support Mission (MSS) remains pending.  More information on the increasingly grim situation follows in a New Humanitarian piece by Daniela Mohor. 

The much-awaited Kenyan-led multi-national force is nowhere to be seen - and even if it were, it may not be enough to stop the chaos.  Gangs control 80% of Port-au-Prince, have attacked the airport, and are banding together to force for the resignation of Ariel Henry.  According to a Miami Herald article by Michael Wilner and Jacquline Charles, the U.S Government has asked Henry to move forward with the formation of a transitional council — a mechanism that would involve the appointment of an interim prime minister to replace Henry, compelling his resignation. The situation has been urgent for a long time but the lack of action may result in the toppling of the government and the overwhelming of the Haitian National Police.  A New Humanitarian article by Daniela Mohor below provides more information the humanitarian impact. 

Dr. Marie-Marcelle H. Deschamps (GHESKIO) is among four finalists being considered for the 2023 Women Building Peace Award from the United States Institute for Peace. Dr. Deschamps emphasizes the role of women in promoting both peace and public health, for example in conducting outreach to gangs in order to continue providing much-needed health services to Port-au-Prince residents.  According to Deschamps. “I know the risks are there, but we all have to take a risk and know that we are on a mission, and you choose your battle. We each have a battle and mine is staying here.”  The full article by Miami Herald journalist Jacqueline Charles follows.