Gang violence escalates in Haiti amid funding shortages face by UN mission

Haiti’s escalating gang violence continues to spread unchecked as the United Nations-backed mission aimed at restoring order remains critically underfunded, UN human rights expert William O’Neill warned on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference in Port-au-Prince, O’Neill highlighted that gangs are expanding into new territories while weapons and ammunition flow into the country despite an international embargo.

“Areas previously unaffected by gang violence are now directly impacted, exacerbating the already dire situation with rising inflation, shortages of basic goods, and increasing numbers of internally displaced people,” O'Neill stated.

He emphasized the growing humanitarian crisis, with many Haitians facing severe consequences, including widespread displacement, sexual violence, and a lack of access to essential services.

The UN-backed mission, led by 400 Kenyan police officers who arrived in June, has deployed less than 25% of the promised forces, O’Neill revealed.

The mission, which has just under two weeks left in its initial one-year mandate, also suffers from a lack of adequate equipment and resources. This shortfall has hindered the mission's effectiveness in curbing the rampant violence.

Originally, more than 2,900 troops were pledged by several countries, including Antigua, Barbados, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Chad, the Bahamas, and Jamaica, to support Haitian police.

However, the deployment remains far below expectations.

O'Neill stressed the urgency of ramping up efforts to address the crisis, stating that while solutions exist, immediate action is required to prevent the situation from worsening.

The UN reports that between April and June 2024 alone, over 1,379 people were either killed or injured in gang-related violence, and 428 were kidnapped.

The rise in violence has deeply impacted Haitian society, with O'Neill warning that children are being forcibly recruited into gangs and used in attacks against public institutions and police forces.

“Youth are losing hope for a better future,” O’Neill lamented, underscoring the long-term societal damage being inflicted by the unchecked violence.

In addition to the security concerns, Haiti’s health system is in dire straits, with less than one-third of services functioning normally.

Nearly 5 million Haitians are now facing hunger as the country’s economic conditions continue to deteriorate.

Despite the grave situation, O’Neill believes that progress can be made if international efforts are intensified and the necessary resources are provided to support the UN mission.

However, without additional funding and full troop deployment, the violence is likely to continue spreading, deepening Haiti’s humanitarian crisis.

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