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Situation in Haiti
- A government in Haiti has been formed, led by Garry Conille, who was named Prime Minister on 29 May. Conille will also take the role of Minister of the Interior and Local Authorities. 13 Ministers have been appointed, who are in charge of 17 Ministries.
- Three police officers of the Anti-Gang Unit (UTAG) were assassinated on 9 June in Delmas by members of the gang led by Jimmy Chérizier, known as Barbecue.
- UTAG sent out a statement deploring the assassinations and announcing that the Haitian National Police Force would open an investigation into the murders.
- Four members of the “6 men for hell” gang were lynched by residents of the neighbourhood of Watapana in Jacmel.
- A cargo of munition from the United States was apprehended at the border control in Cap Haïtien on 11 June.
- Gunfire was heard at Nazon on 12 June, the anniversary of the Haitian National Police Force, whilst demonstrations are initiated to denounce the assassinations of the three police officers.
- The number of displaced people in Haiti increased by 60% since March, with around 580,000 people currently displaced in the country.
- The situation for IDPs is worrying with a heavy hurricane season about to start. The extreme weather may deteriorate the country’s health system as 10% of hospitals are situated in low-lying areas under risk of flooding.
- Late last month, a tornado hit the north of Haiti, resulting in over 4,000 people losing their homes.
- Haiti is added to the list of countries with a risk of famine hotspot requiring urgent attention.
- The WFP regained access to the international airport in Port-au-Prince on 30 May, and was able to deliver food to 93,000 people from the neighbourhood of Cité Soleil and to 103,000 IDPs in temporary shelters across the capital.
- WFP also received 60 containers of food and basic goods through the main port of Port-au-Prince.
- Five million people are food insecure in Haiti, 1.6 million of which are facing emergency food insecurity. Since January, food prices in Port-au-Prince have increased by 30%.
- Over half of the Haitian youth believe that their rights are not respected, according to a survey conducted by UNICEF. Despite this, 65% of youth are hopeful about their future in Haiti, with the majority of those believing that education is the most important to allow the country to change.
- The General Director of the National Archives has stated that the archives are kept in unsafe conditions, partially due to the insecurity posed by the gangs, as well as due to unfit conditions that the archives are kept in, making them susceptible to damage from heat and rats, among others.
- Business owners, crucial to providing jobs and livelihoods within communities, have lost millions of dollars when their businesses were destroyed by gangs.
- Some have been 3rd and 4th generation businesses. They have survived two world wars, a devastating earthquake but are now on their knees because of the latest violent attacks, they now need help to recapitalise their business and to begin the daunting task of rebuilding”
- Representatives of Haiti Matters visited Port-au-Prince between 4 and 6 June, and met with a cross section of Haitian society, peace building groups, human rights groups, members of the Presidential Council, the police service, business leaders, and numerous victims of violence.
- Haiti Matters discussed how Ireland, a country which itself was devastated by decades of violence, can aid Haiti in working through the conflict, with peace building and dialogue at the core of rebuilding into a prosperous country. Haiti Matters hopes that by sharing these experiences it can help Haiti find a path to peace and stability.
- Commercial flights between the US and Port-au-Prince have resumed.
Situation on the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission
- Evangelical pastors have been enlisted for the MSS mission, as a bridge between Haitian communities and the Kenyan president, William Ruto. They have also met with the gang leader known as Barbecue, which has led to some criticism in Haiti.
- Reports have indicated that gang members have been moving from Port-au-Prince to provincial towns ahead of the deployment of the security support mission.
- Amnesty International expressed concern on the lack of transparency of human rights safeguards for the MSS mission, stating that personnel should be trained to avoid abuses, whilst independent mechanisms should be established to investigate allegations of human rights violations.
- The ruling on the Kenyan lawsuit challenging the deployment of the MSS mission, questioning the “disregard” of a High Court ruling by the Kenyan government is heard in the Kenya High Court today.
- In January it was ruled that the deployment should be stopped because a reciprocal agreement between the two nations was not in place.
- In the lawsuit the Kenyan Thirdway Alliance leader Dr Aukot and Miruru Waweru argue that the High Court should find Kenyan authorities in contempt of court.
International situation
- Ranking member of Congress, Raskin and colleagues from Congress have sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland, calling attention to weapons originating from the US fueling violence in Haiti.
- The members of Congress are concerned that “The illicit influx of American firearms has enabled Haitian gangs to amass weapon arsenals larger than those of local police, making efforts to curb the violence in the nation exponentially more difficult.”
- Democrat Congress Representative Greg Casar, who supports the MSS mission, said: “We’re having to fund the U.S. guns to go fight the U.S. guns that have filled the void in governance”.
Links of interest
Conille Government Officially Constituted
Three Police Officers Killed in Delmas 18
4 gang members lynched
OCHA Haiti Emergency Situation Report No. 26 (as of 7 June 2024)
Rampaging gangs leave Haiti at risk as hurricane season starts
U.N. agency appeals for aid to help Haiti weather hurricane season
In major breakthrough, WFP gains access to international airport and violence-hit Cité Soleil area of Haiti’s capital
Keep global spotlight on Haiti as millions go hungry, WFP official says
Hope prevails among Haitian youth despite over half believing their rights are violated.
« Nous n’avons aucun lieu sûr pour protéger ce patrimoine», dixit le DG des Archives nationales
Haiti – FLASH : JetBlue and Spirit resume their flights to/from Port-au-Prince
Act of faith: Kenya enlists evangelical pastors to guide Haiti mission
Haiti – FLASH : Gang members flee Port-au-Prince before the deployment of the Multinational Mission
Haiti: human rights safeguards and transparency must guide security mission deployment.
Court to hear lawsuit challenging deployment of Kenya police to Haiti
How the black market gun trade fuels Haiti’s conflict
Disclaimer: All information in this Situation Report is presented as a fluid update report, as to the best knowledge and understanding of the authors at the moment of publication. Haiti Matters does not claim that the information is correct but verifies to the best of ability within the circumstances. Publication is weighed on the basis of interest to understand potential impacts of events (or perceptions of these) on the situation. Check all information against updates and other media. Haiti Matters does not take responsibility for the use of the information or impact thereof. All information reported originates from third parties and the content of all reported and linked information remains the sole responsibility of these third parties. Report to info@haiti-matters.org any additional information and corrections.