NAIROBI, Kenya — In a significant move to combat escalating gang violence in Haiti, Kenya has dispatched an additional 217 police officers as part of an international effort to restore order in the troubled Caribbean nation, confirmed the country’s interior minister on Saturday.

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen stated that the officers left Kenya on Friday. He expressed optimism about the mission’s progress, highlighting that the efforts coordinated by Kenya have been largely successful in mitigating gang-related issues and have been well-received internationally. Murkomen also shared a photo with officers aboard their flight, indicating the seriousness and commitment involved in this operation.

This recent deployment follows Kenya’s initial troop contribution to Haiti, which began in June. With this latest group, the total number of Kenyan personnel deployed to Haiti now surpasses 600. President William Ruto has announced plans to send a total of 1,000 troops to assist in the U.N.-backed mission aimed at stabilizing the region.

The rampant gang violence in Haiti has had devastating effects, leaving over 700,000 individuals displaced and forcing many into makeshift shelters characterized by poor living conditions. The severity of the situation is underscored by troubling statistics from the United Nations, which reported more than 5,600 fatalities across Haiti last year. This figure marks an alarming increase of over 20% compared to the year prior, as noted by the U.N. Human Rights Office.

Moreover, the situation is exacerbated by reports of over 2,200 injuries and nearly 1,500 cases of kidnapping in the same period, signifying the urgent need for intervention and stabilization efforts in the region. As the Kenyan government remains dedicated to increasing its support for Haiti, the hope is that more resources can provide relief to those suffering under the current crisis.