Horrific gang violence in Haiti claims over 1,550 lives, reveals human rights group report

A new report has shed light on the horrific violence unleashed in Haiti by gangs amid a political vacuum, with over 1,550 people killed across the country and more than 820 injured from January to March 22, according to the U.N.

The report details the disturbing cases of violence, including the killing of seven people aboard a sailboat, nine bus passengers, and a sergeant at the headquarters of Haiti’s Armed Forces, among others. Gangs have also set fire to homes, leaving at least 17,000 people homeless, with many seeking refuge in overcrowded shelters. The situation escalated on Feb. 29 with large-scale attacks, including the release of over 4,000 inmates from Haiti’s two biggest prisons.

As a result of the violence, medical workers have struggled to aid the wounded and ill, with Haiti’s biggest public hospital and several smaller hospitals and clinics remaining closed. Basic supplies like fuel, oxygen and medications are scarce, leaving patients to bear the costs of their treatment. Pregnant women are even required to provide proof of purchasing fuel to receive care.

Call for International Attention

The report expressed concern about the formation of a transitional council responsible for appointing a new prime minister and Cabinet, citing worries about potential corruption. There have also been at least 48 kidnappings for ransom, with victims including a judge, a priest, a mayor and six nuns. The complicity between gangs, police, and the country’s elite has been blamed for the current situation, with the national police overwhelmed and unable to function effectively.

Activists and U.S. lawmakers have called for a halt on deportations of Haitian nationals living in the U.S., emphasizing that ignoring the crisis in Haiti would be a “death sentence.” The report urges immediate measures to prevent an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.