More than 10,000 people have been displaced in Haiti over the past week as armed gangs intensify their attacks on areas around the capital, Port-au-Prince, according to estimates from the U.N. migration agency on Thursday. The latest surge in violence comes as gangs attempt to expand control over towns outside the capital, where much of the city is already dominated by violent groups aligned under the Viv Ansanm alliance.
The U.N. reported that more than 700,000 people were internally displaced across Haiti by early September, nearly double the figure from six months earlier. The escalating conflict has led to severe humanitarian crises, including famine-level hunger in parts of the country. Armed gangs have taken control of farmlands, cut off transportation routes, and displaced residents, many of whom have been forced into makeshift camps or are staying with host families. This displacement has severely disrupted livelihoods, leaving people without income to afford basic necessities, including food.
Although the U.N. authorised an international force to assist Haitian police in reclaiming gang-controlled areas, the mission has been under-resourced and largely ineffective. Haiti’s leadership has called for the force to be upgraded to a formal peacekeeping mission to secure more support. However, this proposal was blocked last month by China and Russia.
Gangs, once focused on targeting police, civilian groups, and state infrastructure, have begun attacking foreign entities. The U.S. embassy in Haiti confirmed that two of its armoured vehicles were struck by gang gunfire earlier this week, though no injuries were reported. Additionally, a U.N. helicopter carrying 18 people was hit by gunfire over Port-au-Prince on Thursday but managed to land safely without injuries, according to the World Food Programme.
The escalating violence underscores the growing instability in Haiti, as armed groups continue to extend their influence and the international response remains limited.
Melissa Enoch
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