Haiti in Turmoil: Gangs Control 90% of Port-au-Prince as Thousands Flee to Displacement Camps
A recent report from Sky News has highlighted the dire situation in Haiti, where gangs have taken control of approximately 90% of Port-au-Prince, the capital city. The situation is so precarious that even the police are struggling to maintain order, with many areas effectively under gang control.
According to Sky News, the gangs, led by notorious gangster Jimmy Cherizier, also known as "Barbecue", have made it impossible for people to live in many parts of the city. The police are trying to take back control, but their efforts are being hindered by the sheer scale of the gang’s control. As Sky News reports, "nobody can fully agree on a number, but by most estimates, the gangs control around 90% of Port-au-Prince now."
The situation on the ground is dire, with thousands of people forced to flee their homes and live in makeshift displacement camps. These camps, set up in church grounds and other public spaces, are overcrowded and offer little in the way of protection or services. One such camp, which Sky News visited, is home to over 10,500 people, all of whom have been forced to abandon their homes due to gang violence.
Sky News reporter Stuart Ramsay, who has been reporting from Haiti, described the situation as "claustrophobic and tense". He noted that the few areas of Port-au-Prince that remain free from gang control are "packed with people and traffic", leading to a sense of overwhelm and desperation. As Ramsay reported, "the gangs’ lawless, and often murderous, activity means that the roughly 10% of Port-au-Prince still free is packed with people and traffic."
One of the people affected by the violence is Barbara Gashiwi, a new mother who was forced to flee her home with her baby, Jenna. In an interview with Sky News, she described how gangs had pulled guns on her family and told them to leave their home. She expressed fears that she would never be able to return home again.
The Haitian government has largely abandoned efforts to control the city, with many ministries and public buildings either closed or relocated to safer areas. This has left many communities without support or protection, forcing them to fend for themselves in the face of gang violence.
As Sky News reports, the situation in Haiti is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of gang violence and the collapse of law and order. With thousands of people living in displacement camps and many more afraid to leave their homes, the humanitarian crisis in Haiti continues to deepen.
The international community has been urged to take action to support the people of Haiti, who are living in a state of fear and uncertainty. With the gangs showing no signs of relinquishing their control, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming weeks and months.
In a recent report, Sky News highlighted the dire situation in Haiti, where thousands of people have been forced to flee their homes due to gang violence. The report noted that the situation is a result of the government’s inability to control the gangs, which have taken over large swathes of the city.
The report also highlighted the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Haiti, with thousands of people living in makeshift displacement camps. The camps are overcrowded and lack basic services, leaving many people without access to food, water, or medical care.
According to Sky News, the situation in Haiti is a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of gang violence and the collapse of law and order. The international community has been urged to take action to support the people of Haiti, who are living in a state of fear and uncertainty.
As the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, it is clear that urgent action is needed to support the people affected by the gang violence. The report from Sky News highlights the need for a comprehensive and coordinated response to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Haiti.
In conclusion, the situation in Haiti is a dire reminder of the consequences of gang violence and the collapse of law and order. The international community must take action to support the people of Haiti, who are living in a state of fear and uncertainty. With thousands of people living in displacement camps and many more afraid to leave their homes, the humanitarian crisis in Haiti continues to deepen.
The article was sourced from Sky News: https://news.sky.com/story/90-of-port-au-prince-controlled-by-gangs-as-thousands-forced-into-heaving-displacement-camps-13368885.
