Gangs in Haiti have escalated their violent activities in the downtown area of the capital, Port-au-Prince. The recent attacks include setting fire to a school and looting pharmacies near the country's largest public hospital. This wave of violence, which began a month ago, has targeted key infrastructure, such as police stations, the main airport, and prisons, resulting in the release of over 4,000 inmates.
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns about the impact of the violence on children's health and nutrition. The number of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition in Haiti has surged by 19% this year, with 1.64 million people on the brink of famine. UNICEF emphasizes that this crisis is entirely man-made.
The ongoing violence has led to road closures, hospital shutdowns, and hindered aid delivery, exacerbating the already dire situation. Only two out of five hospitals in Haiti are operational, and supplies for severely malnourished children are unable to reach them due to the unrest.
The violence has claimed numerous lives, displaced thousands, and left Haiti's National Police struggling to combat heavily armed gangs controlling a significant portion of the capital. In response, U.S. President Joe Biden has approved emergency assistance of up to $10 million to bolster Haitian security forces against organized gang attacks.
Efforts are underway to establish a transitional presidential council to address the crisis. However, internal challenges have delayed the formation of the council, which is crucial for selecting new leadership in Haiti. Some proposed solutions include empowering a judge from the Supreme Court to appoint new leaders.
Despite these setbacks, regional entities like Caricom are advocating for swift action to stabilize the situation in Haiti. The need for immediate intervention is evident as the country grapples with escalating violence and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
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