Mass Exodus: Gang Violence Forces 11,000 Haitians to Flee Their Homes
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has released a report highlighting the forced migration occurring due to gangs in and around the Poste Marchand District of Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.
The report reveals that attacks by gangs have been ongoing, leading to more than 11 thousand individuals fleeing their homes in recent days. This wave of violence has resulted in a dire situation for the people of Haiti, with 5.4 million citizens struggling to feed themselves on a daily basis, as per the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis.
In a separate report published by the World Food Program (WFP) in October, Haiti was labeled as facing “the worst hunger emergency in the Western Hemisphere,” indicating one of the highest rates of acute food insecurity globally.
Furthermore, the country has been plagued by political, economic, and security crises for years, exacerbating the challenges faced by its population, which exceeds 11 million. Armed gangs currently control 80 percent of the capital, leading to escalating levels of violence.
According to data from the United Nations (UN) Integrated Office in Haiti, over 5 thousand individuals have lost their lives in attacks by armed gangs in 2024 alone. The ongoing violence led to the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry in April, the establishment of an Interim Council, and the subsequent appointment of Garry Conille as prime minister on May 28.
However, tensions within the council resulted in the dismissal of Conille and the appointment of businessman Alix Didier Fils-Aime as prime minister on November 11. The situation in Haiti remains critical, with the population facing severe challenges and widespread food insecurity amidst the backdrop of ongoing violence and political instability.
