MADRID 17 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that more than 20,000 people have fled Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, “in just four days due to growing gang violence,” which has engulfed the country. Caribbean in a deep crisis.
According to data from the organization, more than 17,000 of these people are housed in 15 camps for displaced people, while the humanitarian crisis worsens.
“The isolation of Port-au-Prince is amplifying an already terrible humanitarian situation,” the head of IOM in Haiti, Grégoire Goodstein, said in a statement, underlining that “humanitarian workers face immense challenges in reaching affected populations.” “.
They have also noted that the increase in violence has disrupted essential supply chains, leaving the city isolated. In addition, the closure of air traffic due to selective shootings against commercial aircraft, restrictions on access to the main sea port and control of roads by armed groups have contributed to the paralysis of the area.
In 2024, almost 4,000 gang-related deaths have been recorded, while gender-based violence, including sexual violence, reaches alarming levels.
IOM has made an urgent appeal to increase funding for humanitarian operations as the UN response plan remains only 42 percent of its $674 million goal.
Haiti has not had a president since a group of armed individuals broke into his official residence in early July 2021 and murdered Jovenel Moise. Shortly after, Ariel Henry ascended to the position of prime minister amid criticism and after several years of instability. In March of this year he resigned after the wave of violence that shook the Caribbean nation.
The Presidential Transition Council ended up appointing Garry Conille to carry out the task of pacification as head of Government. His cabinet has announced the creation of a Provisional Electoral Council to organize the first elections in a decade.
On October 8, Leslie Voltaire assumed the position of president of the Council for the next six months.