Recent reports from the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration reveal that over 33,000 individuals have evacuated Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, in the past two weeks due to escalating gang activities. The majority of those displaced have sought refuge in the southern region of the country, which is comparatively more peaceful than the violence-stricken capital.
The surge in displacement is a direct result of ongoing attacks and insecurity in Port-au-Prince, prompting residents to seek safety in other provinces despite the risks associated with traversing gang-controlled routes. The situation has led to a significant exodus, with scores of people losing their lives and approximately 17,000 individuals left homeless since the outbreak of gang violence on February 29.
Notably, the armed groups have targeted key state institutions, including police stations and the international airport, which remains non-operational. Furthermore, the gangs orchestrated prison breaks, releasing over 4,000 inmates and exacerbating the security crisis.
The journey to safety for the majority of evacuees has been perilous, with more than 90% opting to travel by bus through Martissant, a community plagued by violent clashes between rival gangs. The International Organization for Migration highlighted the strain on the southern region, which is already accommodating 116,000 individuals who fled previous instances of gang violence.
Many of the newly arrived individuals have settled in cities like Les Cayes, Jérémie, and Léogâne, with a significant portion expressing a preference for the south due to their origins in that region. The vast majority intend to stay with family members as they navigate the challenges of displacement.
As the crisis unfolds, a transitional presidential council is being established by Caribbean leaders to oversee the appointment of an interim prime minister and council of ministers. Prime Minister Ariel Henry has pledged to step down once the council is operational, a move necessitated by his current inability to return to Haiti following the closure of airports during his official trip to Kenya in early March.
The situation in Haiti remains fluid, with the specter of continued gang violence prompting further evacuations from the capital in the days and weeks ahead.
