Haiti is facing a severe crisis as gang violence intensifies in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Over the past week, at least 150 people have been killed, and more than 20,000 residents have been forced to flee their homes, according to the United Nations.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk expressed deep concern on November 20, stating, “Gangs are ramping up efforts to take full control of Port-au-Prince. The city’s 4 million residents are essentially being held hostage.”
The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) reported at least 92 injuries and a surge in displaced families over just one week, reflecting the escalating insecurity in the city.
Even middle-class neighborhoods on the outskirts of the capital have become battlegrounds as police clash with gang members. Local residents have taken matters into their own hands, forming self-defense groups, setting up barricades, and arming themselves with machetes and hammers to fight back.
The ongoing violence—marked by murders, looting, sexual assaults, kidnappings, and arson—has also disrupted critical humanitarian efforts. Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF) announced they are temporarily suspending operations in five medical facilities in Port-au-Prince due to repeated threats and attacks on their staff and vehicles.
“We cannot guarantee the safety of our patients and staff when even law enforcement is part of the threat,” MSF said in a statement, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
Reports have also emerged that some police officers are participating in criminal activities, further eroding trust in the already fragile security system.
Türk warned that the spike in violence could signal even darker days ahead, urging the international community to act swiftly. “We cannot allow Haiti to descend further into chaos,” he said.
Haiti’s residents are living in constant fear, trapped in a daily struggle for survival as the country faces a humanitarian and security crisis. International assistance and urgent action are desperately needed to prevent further catastrophe.