UN humanitarians have raised concerns over a significant increase in armed violence in Cite Soleil, a neighborhood in Haiti’s Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. This surge in violence has led to the displacement of over 5,300 individuals, with more than half of them seeking refuge in 12 designated sites. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) highlighted the impact of this violence on healthcare access, forcing Doctors Without Borders to evacuate and suspend operations at Cite Soleil Hospital after treating numerous gunshot patients and providing shelter to hundreds.
The region had previously witnessed armed conflicts in March and April, resulting in the displacement of nearly 8,000 people and straining essential services. Despite the ongoing insecurity, humanitarian organizations continue their operations in Cite Soleil, conducting assessments in areas where displaced individuals have relocated within the neighborhood. OCHA is coordinating efforts among humanitarian partners to develop a collective response to the evolving security situation.
UN Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq expressed concerns about the escalating violence, particularly involving various gangs and security forces. He emphasized the challenges of de-escalating such situations once they begin, citing the historical difficulties faced by Haiti in managing such crises. Haq highlighted the severity of the situation, noting the high number of gunshot patients treated within a short period, although specific fatality figures were not available at the time.
