A City Under Siege: Violence and Instability Plague Port-au-Prince

Haiti’s Capital Gripped by an Unprecedented Crisis

Unbearable Conditions

In a city silenced by gangs, everyone notices the thrum of a helicopter beating overhead in the night – a brief sign that someone very lucky has been able to leave Port-au-Prince.

Since the previous month, the situation in the Haitian capital has deteriorated sharply. Promised transitional government and plans for a stabilisation force are in limbo, leaving a void in leadership. Ordinary people rarely leave their homes in Port-au-Prince as daily battles between police and gangs and a scarcity of basic supplies force them to live in fear and abandonment.

Private Evacuations Amplify Inequality

With roads blocked by gangs, access to the port and airport restricted, and supplies dwindling, the only thing coming into Port-au-Prince are private evacuation helicopters. This highlights the stark inequality that has plagued Haiti for decades, as the vast majority of Haitians live on less than $4 per day.

Hundreds of people, mainly wealthy foreigners and diplomats, are putting their names on evacuation lists to flee Port-au-Prince by air. This entails chartering a private flight, with a single seat that can cost over $10,000, underscoring the privilege enjoyed by a few.

A City in the Hands of Gangs

Pilots choosing to embark on evacuation flights face grave dangers, as flying through the war-torn city offers no guarantees of safety. Gangs control 80% of Port-au-Prince, making it nearly impossible for pilots to predict the source of impending danger.

Eighty percent of Port-au-Prince is currently controlled by gangs, leaving the national police battling back with limited resources. Attacks on the police have become commonplace, exacerbating the city’s security crisis.

Crisis Deepens with no Solutions in Sight

The worsening security crisis in Haiti is unprecedented, considering the country’s history of violence, political upheaval, and natural disasters. With the urgent need for humanitarian assistance affecting half the population, swift action is required to alleviate the suffering.

Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who assumed power following the assassination of Haiti’s President in 2021, has failed to stabilize the country. Gang violence increased during his term, and his inability to hold elections only amplified the security concerns.

Hope for Peace on the Horizon?

The deployment of foreign troops to assist the police and combat the gangs offers a glimmer of hope in this dire situation. Kenya, in response to a request by Haiti’s government and with the UN Security Council’s approval, was set to lead a mission to restore order.

However, as chaos continues to spiral, the deployment of foreign troops remains uncertain. Henry’s resignation announcement further delayed Kenya’s intervention due to the government’s instability.

Restoring peace to the streets of Port-au-Prince is imperative to pursue democratic processes, hold elections, and establish a new government. Despite the setbacks, the urgent need to address the crisis remains.