Gang Violence

Aid Delivery Depends on Talking to 300 Gangs

  • Posted on: 15 October 2023
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

No matter how bad insecurity ever has been, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has always maintained an important presence in Haiti.  With approximately eighty percent of Port-au-Prince being under gang control, the ICRC must maintain constant communication with many of the 300 gangs and manage their ever-shifting alliances in order to provide assistance to the most vulnerable.  In response to Haiti's worsening situation, ICRC intends to increase its humanitarian efforts including by expanding training for emergency health staff, ambulance services, and support to over-burdened health care facilities in insecure neighborhoods.  The full BBC article by Vanessa Buschschlüter is linked and follows. 

Violence Spreads North With Over 10,000 Displaced

  • Posted on: 29 September 2023
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

Unchecked violence continues to spread like a cancer in Haiti, with over 10,000 displaced from their homes in the north.  Suspected gang members attacked a police station in Saut-d'Eau and the Zanmi Lasante (Partners in Health) Facility in Mirebalais has also been attacked.  The Kenyan-led peacekeeping force is still more idea than reality and despite the violence, the United States continues to deport Haitians.  The peacekeepers will face a much worse security situation than any previous peacekeeping force.  More information follows in the Reuters article below. 

Gangs, Hunger, Inflation: UN Convenes Special Meeting on Haiti

  • Posted on: 16 June 2023
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

As the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, 5.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.  According to UNICEF, this includes almost 3 million children, the highest on record.  Gang violence, food insecurity made worse by climate change, natural disasters, a lack of basic services, and disease outbreaks such as cholera together present major security, humanitarian, and development challenges for Haiti and the international community.  Meetings have been called by the United Nations, CARICOM, and partner countries to urge increased support, without which it could yet become much worse.  The full article by Miami Herald journalist Jacqueline Charles follows. 

Haiti’s Gang Violence Keeps a Population Captive

  • Posted on: 22 February 2023
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

In Haiti, Gang violence continues unchecked. Hôpital Albert Schweitzer in Deschapelles, which serves more than 700,000 people in the Artibonite Valley and Central Plateau regions, has suspended operations for all but emergency cases. In Port-au-Prince, gangs are taking control of more neighborhoods and operating with total impunity.  Residents of Cite Soleil are essentially captive – unable to access food, medical care, and other essential services.  A New Humanitarian article about the worsening situation in Cite-Soleil by Evens Mary and Paula Depraz-Dobias follows. 

‘Triple Threat’ of Cholera, Malnutrition and Violence Puts Young Lives at Risk

  • Posted on: 3 November 2022
  • By: Bryan Schaaf

The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child issued a brief but stark warning about the threat posed to Haitian children by gang violence, cholera, and malnutrition.  The situation in Haiti is difficult, but especially so for children.  Emboldened gangs, a growing cholera epidemic, and worsening malnutrition are negatively impacting the well-being of Haitian children.  The government is weak, the gangs are in many cases better armed than the police, and core development issues like agriculture, education, infrastructure, and human rights have once again taken a back seat to insecurity.  Restoring security won't solve Haiti's problems but it is at least a prequisite.