Gangs Control 90% of Port-au-Prince, Displacement Crisis Worsens
Port-au-Prince is now dominated by gang violence, with estimates indicating that about 90% of the Haitian capital is under gang control, according to Sky News. The situation has led to severe distress, causing hundreds of thousands of residents to lose their homes and seek refuge in overcrowded displacement camps, where conditions are dire.
Reports from the scene describe a palpable fear among families, especially children, who often witness gunfire during their daily routines. Residents are increasingly unable to access safe spaces, as police operations against gangs like the notorious group led by former officer Jimmy Cherizier, known as "Barbecue," struggle to succeed. During a recent patrol, police faced intensified gunfire, forcing them to retreat.
Among the displaced, new mother Barbara Gashiwi, who fled her home just days before giving birth, expressed despair about returning. “They pulled guns on us and told us to give up the house,” she recalled. The growing gang warfare has left remaining neighborhoods crowded with people seeking safety, while the Haitian government relocates to safer areas, abandoning those left behind.
