Security forces in Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.
(dpa) At least 471 people were killed, injured or missing in gang violence in Haiti’s capital Port-au-Prince within ten days, according to the UN. In its statement on Monday (local time), the United Nations referred to the period from July 8th to 17th. There are also reports of serious cases of sexual violence against women and children – the latter are also recruited by the gangs. According to the information, around 3,000 people had to leave their homes, including hundreds of unaccompanied minors. At least 140 houses were destroyed or burned down.
Gang violence over territory in the greater Port-au-Prince area has significantly worsened the already difficult security situation in the poorest country in the Americas for more than a year. According to a report by the Haitian human rights organization RNDDH, between April 24 and May 6 alone, gang fighting claimed the lives of 191 people, including eight children. There were also supply bottlenecks. The local UN office tweeted on July 13 that a total of 1.5 million people in the city could no longer move freely due to gang violence and had no access to basic services.
The UN agencies have now begun to supply the affected population – especially in Cité Soleil, a large, densely populated slum on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince – with water, food and other aids, it said on Monday (local time) by the United Nations. However, a more sustainable, holistic approach needs to be found in the medium and long term, Humanitarian Aid Coordinator Ulrika Richardson said, according to the release. The need for help is immense and growing. She called on everyone involved to end the violence and ensure an open humanitarian corridor.