Over 20,000 displaced by gang violence in Haiti: U.N. agency

Sun Nov 17 22:58:24 UTC 2024: ## Over 20,000 Displaced in Haiti Amidst Soaring Gang Violence

**Port-au-Prince, Haiti –** A surge in gang violence has forced over 20,000 people from their homes in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, in just four days, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Saturday. This marks the largest displacement since August 2023, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis.

The IOM’s Haiti chief, Gregoire Goodstein, stated that the isolation of the capital, further complicated by a recent US ban on civilian flights, is severely hampering aid delivery efforts. He stressed the urgent need for international support to prevent further suffering. Approximately 17,000 of the displaced are currently residing in temporary shelters, many having been displaced multiple times.

The crisis unfolds amidst a period of political transition, with Alix Didier Fils-Aime sworn in as the new Prime Minister on Monday, replacing Garry Conille. However, the new government faces the daunting challenge of tackling rampant gang violence. Well-armed gangs control roughly 80% of Port-au-Prince, routinely targeting civilians despite the presence of a Kenyan-led international peacekeeping force. The UN human rights office reports nearly 4,000 deaths from gang-related violence this year. The recent attacks on civilian aircraft prompted the US to temporarily ban all civilian flights to Haiti, further isolating the nation. The IOM has called for immediate international assistance to address the escalating humanitarian emergency.