### Humanitarian Crisis Deepens as Gang Violence Escalates in Haiti's Capital

Over 20,000 residents of Port-au-Prince have been forced to flee their homes in just four days due to rising gang violence, with more than 17,000 seeking shelter in 15 designated displacement sites. This sudden surge in displacement marks the largest since August 2023 and underscores the critical breakdown of supply chains across the capital.

The instability, which has plagued Haiti since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moïse, has worsened as armed gangs consolidate their hold over Port-au-Prince. The nation's police force is overwhelmed and grossly underequipped to manage the escalating violence, further worsening the situation. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) warned that the capital faces near-total paralysis due to the unrest.

A recent incident underscored the severity of the situation when commercial aircraft were reportedly fired upon last week, damaging a United States-based Spirit Airlines jet as it landed and injuring a flight attendant. In response, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has imposed a 30-day ban on flights to Haiti. This ban has grounded international flights, further isolating the already beleaguered nation.

The restrictions on accessing the main seaport and the control gangs exert over key roads mean that essential supplies are not reaching those in desperate need. Grégoire Goodstein, IOM's Chief in Haiti, noted that only 20 percent of Port-au-Prince is accessible, presenting severe challenges for humanitarian workers trying to aid affected populations.

As gangs continually expand their reach, taking over new neighborhoods and isolating communities, the national police face significant difficulties stemming from a severe lack of resources. According to the UN human rights office (UNHCR), gang-related violence has claimed nearly 4,000 lives in 2024 alone. Alarming levels of gender-based violence, particularly sexual violence used as a weapon of terror, have also surged, disproportionately affecting women and children, who make up 94 percent of the displaced and are at heightened risk.

Despite these constraints, IOM tirelessly offers life-saving assistance, including mobile medical clinics, rental subsidies for those displaced, protection services, psychological support, and water delivery to displacement sites. It also maintains operations across the country through migrant protection centers and community stabilization projects.

The humanitarian response remains critically underfunded, with only 42 percent of the UN’s $674 million response plan financed. Goodstein stressed the necessity for immediate international support to prevent the already dire situation from worsening exponentially.

IOM emphasizes the importance of upholding humanitarian principles amid the escalating crisis and calls on all parties to respect the neutrality and impartiality of aid operations. This is crucial for ensuring unimpeded access to those in need and maintaining the integrity of humanitarian assistance.