In Haiti, over 700,000 people are internally displaced from their homes, with more than half of them being children, due to ongoing gang violence, according to a report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This represents a 22 percent increase since June, with over 110,000 people fleeing their homes in the last seven months.
The country has been facing years of unrest and instability, with powerful armed groups vying for control. The situation worsened in February when gangs launched attacks on prisons and state institutions across the capital. In response, Haiti’s Prime Minister resigned, a Transitional Presidential Council was created, and a multinational force was deployed for security support.
The United Nations human rights office reported over 3,600 deaths this year due to gang violence, while the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification said almost half of the population is experiencing acute food shortages.
The IOM is calling for international support to help the displaced populations in Haiti and the host communities, with 75 percent of those displaced sheltering in the country’s provinces. The agency emphasized the need for stability, security, and humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of those affected, as many are living in overcrowded sites with limited access to basic services.
Overall, the IOM is urging the international community to increase its support for Haiti during these challenging times, as the country continues to grapple with ongoing violence and displacement.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
