The United Nations (UN) reported on Tuesday that the United States has extended its suspension of flights to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, until September 8 due to the deteriorating security situation caused by gang violence. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initially banned flights in November after gangs fired upon three commercial aircraft, a ban that was due to expire this Wednesday.
William O’Neill, the appointed UN human rights expert on Haiti, addressed reporters and highlighted the intensifying crisis, noting that gang activity is more rampant, and the widespread agony and distress among the population are at an unprecedented level. Despite the efforts from Haiti’s national police and an international police force led by Kenya under UN support, O’Neill warned that the threat of the capital being overtaken by gangs is significant.
He stressed that these violent groups continue to expand their influence not just within the capital but also beyond, engaging in heinous acts such as murder, rape, and arson impacting homes, orphanages, schools, hospitals, and religious institutions. The gangs, according to O’Neill, have permeated different segments of society with impunity, often with the cooperation of influential individuals.
Following President Jovenel Moïse’s assassination in July 2021, gang influence has surged, and they currently control nearly 85% of the capital. O’Neill indicated that over a million people have been displaced, with inadequate refuge solutions. Makeshift camps face hunger, sexual violence, and perilous conditions, turning everyday survival into a strenuous challenge.
O’Neill urged the authorities in Haiti to confront impunity and corruption as key obstacles in dismantling gang power. He emphasized the necessity of strengthening the police force, which consists of about 9,000 to 10,000 officers, compared to around 50,000 officers in the neighboring Dominican Republic, which has a similar population size.
He advocated for bolstering the multinational police contingent, which began operations in June and currently consists of approximately 1,000 officers, suggesting that a fully-equipped force of 2,500 could significantly succeed in controlling and dismantling the gangs. O’Neill also highlighted the need for enhanced mobility through helicopters, better ground vehicles, and equipment such as night vision goggles and body armor for both international and local police forces.
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently recommended to the UN Security Council that the logistical support and equipment, including drones and transport for the Kenya-led force, be funded through the UN budget to ensure sustainability, rather than depending on voluntary contributions. This funding would support the international police force in its mission.
