Haiti: Country in crisis after thousands of prisoners escape – Roadblocks, incidents and displaced persons – 2024-03-07 02:11:38

Its capital HaitiPort-au-Prince was “paralyzed” yesterday Monday, the day after the government declared a state of emergency, after thousands of prison inmates escaped following gang raids.

Since last Thursday armors gangswho control much of the territory, including the capital, are attacking strategic locations with the aim of overthrowing the government of the embattled prime minister Ariel Henri. In power from 2021, the latter would theoretically leave office at the beginning of February.

They were loud again yesterday afternoon in Port-au-Prince, where schools and banks they did not open, AFP journalists found on the spot.

In the streets, residents had set up barricade with stones, tree branches and other objects, as well as intensity has reached its peak. Few policemen were visible in the city.

The displacedamong them many children and women, among them pregnant women, took refuge “informally” in schools, football fields, gymnasiums, and even in public buildings, according to Carlotta Pianizzani.

“They are even sleeping downstairs, in temporary shelters”, he said, without access to “basic services”, the health system, latrines, without drinking water…

“This week, the largest public hospital suspended its operations,” she noted, while her own NGO also greatly reduced its activity due to the violence.

According to the UN, over 8.400 people became victims of gangs last year — this figure includes those killed (nearly 5,000), wounded and kidnapped. Victims increased “by 122% compared to 2022”.

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