Armed men ransacked and burned the home of Haiti's National Police Director General today, highlighting the escalating violence in the country. The United Nations announced a reduction in non-essential personnel in response to the deteriorating situation. Amidst the chaos, aid groups like Community Organized Relief Effort (CORE), founded by actor Sean Penn, continue their work in Haiti.
Sean Penn shared insights on the ground situation, noting the increased gang violence following President Moise's assassination. The security threat forced most operations in Port-au-Prince to be conducted remotely, while work in rural areas continued relatively unaffected. Penn expressed concern over the unprecedented level of violence, surpassing even the tumultuous times of the early 2000s.
Despite the challenges, Penn remains cautiously hopeful about Haiti's future. With the recent resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and the potential for a new political coalition, there is a glimmer of optimism for progress. Penn emphasized the importance of international support in allowing Haitians to shape their own path forward.
CORE's operations outside Port-au-Prince focus on various initiatives, including agriculture, food security, shelter programs, and disaster relief efforts. Education is set to become a key focus once again as stability returns. Security and food security remain the top concerns, with a call for improved police training and resources to address the country's looming famine threat.
