MSF Suspends Operations in Haiti Amid Police Violence and Threats

Doctors Without Borders Suspends Operations in Haiti

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) announced on Tuesday that it will suspend its operations in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. The decision follows violence and threats directed at its staff from local police.

MSF reported that police had repeatedly stopped their vehicles and made threats of death and sexual violence towards staff members. Christophe Garnier, head of MSF’s Haiti mission, stated, “We are used to working in conditions of extreme insecurity, but when law enforcement becomes a direct threat, we have no choice but to suspend our projects.”

Starting Wednesday, all operations in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas will halt until further notice. MSF emphasized the tragic consequences of this suspension, stating they are one of the few medical service providers remaining in the city during a very challenging year.

Recent Violence Against MSF

The suspension comes after a recent attack on an MSF ambulance, where two patients were killed. In another incident, an armed officer threatened to kill and burn MSF staff, patients, and ambulances.

MSF highlighted that every day without operations impacts the community, as they offer critical medical services in a city heavily affected by violence and gang control. They cannot operate safely in such conditions.

State of Healthcare in Haiti

Haiti has been in a state of emergency since March 2024 due to the rise of gang violence. According to the UN, only 24% of the healthcare facilities in the capital are still operational.

Despite the suspension, MSF will continue to care for five patients currently hospitalized. They will also maintain mobile clinics and maternal health services in Port-a-Piment, a region south of Port-au-Prince.

Ongoing Violence in the City

On the same day of MSF’s announcement, police and civilian groups killed 28 individuals allegedly connected to gangs during a nighttime operation in Port-au-Prince. The bodies were burned in public view, highlighting the ongoing violence in the area.

This situation points to the broader issues of insecurity and lack of healthcare in Haiti, affecting many lives daily.