Haiti Crisis: Gang Violence Fuels Humanitarian Disaster and Displacement

Haiti is experiencing severe instability following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021. The nation faces a significant wave of displacement, as armed gangs gain control in the capital. The police are overwhelmed and lack necessary resources.

City Under Siege

Port-au-Prince is near-paralyzed. A recent attack on a commercial flight, which injured a flight attendant, has led the US Federal Aviation Administration to ban flights to Haiti for at least 30 days. This grounding of international flights increases the country’s isolation. Gangs control access to the main seaport and roads, preventing essential supplies from reaching those in need. Grégoire Goodstein of the IOM stated that only 20 percent of the city is accessible for humanitarian workers, making it difficult to help affected populations.

Escalating Gang Violence

Criminal groups continue to expand their influence, controlling more neighborhoods and isolating communities further. The national police, struggling with limited resources, are unable to manage the rising violence. Gender-based violence, particularly against women and children, has sharply increased. About 94 percent of displaced women and girls are at a higher risk of violence.

Humanitarian Response Efforts

Despite major access issues, the IOM provides critical assistance through mobile medical clinics, rental support for displaced individuals, protection services, psychological support, and water delivery. The organization also runs migrant protection centers and community projects throughout the country. The IOM urges all parties to respect humanitarian operations and allow access to those in need without interference.

Funding Crisis

The humanitarian response is underfunded. The UN’s $674 million response plan is only 42 percent funded. Goodstein warned that without immediate international aid, the suffering in Haiti will significantly increase.