Nearly 6,300 individuals have been compelled to abandon their residences following a deadly assault carried out by heavily armed gang members in central Haiti, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 70 individuals according to the U.N.’s migration agency. The International Organization for Migration disclosed that nearly 90% of the displaced persons are currently lodging with relatives in host families, while 12% have sought refuge in alternative sites such as a school, in a report released last week.
The assault unfolded in Pont-Sondé during the early hours of a Thursday morning, prompting many to flee their homes in the darkness of night. Sonise Mirano, a 60-year-old survivor, described the harrowing event saying, “Gang members came in shooting and breaking into the houses to steal and burn. I just had time to grab my children and run in the dark.” Mirano was among hundreds of individuals camping in a park in the nearby coastal city of Saint-Marc.
Following the attack in the Artibonite region, the streets of Pont-Sondé were left with lifeless bodies scattered around, many of which succumbed to fatal gunshot wounds, as highlighted by Bertide Harace, spokeswoman for the Commission for Dialogue, Reconciliation and Awareness to Save the Artibonite, during an interview with Magik 9 radio station on Friday. Initial estimates stated the death toll at 20, but as activists and government officials accessed the affected areas of the town, more victims were discovered.
Prime Minister Garry Conille assured the public that the culprits responsible for the heinous act would face the full extent of the law as he addressed the situation in Saint-Marc. He voiced, “It is necessary to arrest them, bring them to justice, and put them in prison. They need to pay for what they have done, and the victims need to receive restitution.”
Expressing horror over the violent gang assaults, the U.N. Human Rights Office of the Commissioner released a statement denouncing the attacks. Furthermore, the European Union condemned the brutality, labeling it as another escalation of the extreme violence inflicted by criminal groups upon the Haitian population.
In response to the distressing events, Haiti’s government deployed an elite police unit from the capital, Port-au-Prince, to Pont-Sondé and dispatched much-needed medical supplies to support the overwhelmed local hospital in the area. Prime Minister Conille remarked that the police presence would be maintained until safety is guaranteed, emphasizing the need for communal participation, as he acknowledged that law enforcement alone cannot resolve the issue.
Artibonite has witnessed a surge in gang violence in recent years, particularly affecting the region known for producing a significant portion of Haiti’s food. The assault on Thursday has been marked as one of the deadliest in light of this heightened violence. Similar attacks have transpired in the capital, Port-au-Prince, where a large section is under gang control, often linked to turf conflicts resulting in civilian casualties.
The International Organization for Migration disclosed that over 700,000 individuals, over half of whom are children, are currently internally displaced throughout Haiti, marking a 22% increase since June. A substantial portion of the displaced populace finds shelter in overcrowded conditions with limited access to crucial services, with families struggling to cope with issues such as food scarcity and shortages of essential provisions.
In conclusion, the alarming situation prevalent in Haiti calls for urgent action to address the escalating violence and provide necessary aid to the affected individuals and communities.
