In Port-au-Prince, the capital city of Haiti, residents are facing an escalating crisis as violent gangs continue to wreak havoc on the streets. The ongoing violence has pushed the limits of the Haitian people as they scramble to ensure their safety and survival, while the police struggle to maintain control and the government remains largely absent.

With more than 2,500 people killed or injured from January to March, the community in Port-au-Prince is taking matters into their own hands. Residents in a targeted neighborhood have come together and voted to buy and install a metal barricade as a measure of protection against the relentless violence.

However, staying safe is easier said than done in a city under siege. Gang attacks have become rampant and can happen anywhere, at any time. The situation has forced people to adopt extreme measures, such as installing metal barriers, avoiding gang-controlled areas while driving, and stockpiling essential supplies. Unfortunately, resources have dwindled since the closure of the main international airport in early March, leaving many struggling to access water, food, money, and medication.

The city's biggest seaport is also paralyzed due to the activities of marauding gangs, further exacerbating the crisis. The International Organization for Migration has described Port-au-Prince as a city surrounded by armed groups and constant danger, with residents feeling trapped and having nowhere to go.

Gunfire, kidnappings, and fatal shootings have become all too common, with phones constantly pinging with alerts. Supermarkets resemble small police stations, heavily guarded by armed personnel in an effort to provide a sense of security amid the chaos. Tragically, even staying at home does not guarantee safety, as stray bullets have claimed innocent lives.

The impact of the violence extends to every aspect of Haitian life. Schools and gas stations have shuttered their doors, and access to fuel has become incredibly limited, with prices skyrocketing on the black market. Banks have implemented strict withdrawal limits, and checks are taking significantly longer to clear. Even the police officers themselves are waiting weeks to receive their pay.

The crisis has left the Haitian people under immense stress and a pervasive sense of mistrust. Gangs, which now control approximately 80% of Port-au-Prince, launched coordinated attacks in February, targeting crucial state infrastructure and releasing thousands of inmates from prisons. This violent outbreak coincided with Prime Minister Ariel Henry's absence, as he was advocating for the deployment of a police force in Kenya. Henry remains locked out of the country, with a transitional presidential council expected to be sworn in soon to select the country's next prime minister and Cabinet.

The overarching fear is that this new leadership will not bring an end to the crisis. Haitians have resorted to vigilante justice through a movement known as "bwa kale," resulting in the deaths of several hundred suspected gang members or their associates. However, the atmosphere of terror and suspicion remains, with entire communities living in fear of one another.

The dire situation has forced a mass exodus from the capital city, with over 95,000 people fleeing Port-au-Prince in just one month. Sadly, those who try to escape via bus through gang-controlled areas face the risk of being gang-raped or killed.

The violence has left an estimated 160,000 people homeless, adding further strain to an already overwhelmed population. Businesses, government agencies, and schools have been forced to close, leaving countless Haitians unemployed. Many have resorted to alternative means of survival, such as selling treated water or becoming handymen.

As the crisis deepens and poverty spreads, even students are joining the workforce to assist their families. One student, Sully, who is in the 10th grade, sells gasoline on the black market to generate income for his family. However, the financial strain prevents him from participating in remote learning like his classmates.

The situation in Port-au-Prince is dire, with residents living in constant fear and struggling to meet even their most basic needs. The Haitian people are in desperate need of both immediate relief and long-term solutions to alleviate the ongoing violence and restore stability to their lives.