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Situation in Haiti
- A state of emergency was declared in 14 gang-controlled municipalities. Haitian Prime Minister, Garry Conille, announced that the Haitian National Police (PNH) will start operations in gang-controlled areas with the support of the Armed Forces of Haiti (FAd’H) and Kenyan officers.
- A police intervention in Trianon (Mirballais) led to the death of a gang member and the seizure of 5,000 ammunition and 3 firearms.
- An operation was carried out by the PNH in Anse-d’Ainault, Chambellan and Moron on 17 July. Three gang members were killed during the operation, around 10 were injured and several others were arrested.
- Members of the “400 Mawozo” gang attacked the police station in Ganthier on 21 July, setting fire to part of the station.
- The PNH has been deployed in Gressier, Léogâne, and Ganthier to counteract threats from gang members. Gang members had blocked off roads in Gressier, some of which have already been cleared.
- The PNH was also deployed in Bicentenaire, La Plaine, and Croix de Bouquets, but no serious confrontations took place.
- In an open letter, various Haitian human rights organizations urged Prime Minister Conille to address five key issues, including ensuring justice and reparations for victims of gang violence, rejecting amnesty for criminals, and preventing human rights abuses by multinational forces.
- The letter also emphasised the need to combat corruption within public administration, and restoring public confidence as well as ensuring the integrity of upcoming elections.
- UN women published a report on the gender assessment in Haiti. Women and children in IDP camps are especially vulnerable, with gender-based violence and rape being used in IDP camps to control access to humanitarian assistance.
- A large majority of people in IDP camps have no source of income and over 50% are not able to buy food. This has led women (more than 10%) to turn to prostitution to meet their needs. 90% of women also said they had no access to health services in IDP camps.
- A boat carrying Haitian migrants caught fire off the northern coast of Haiti, leading to the death of at least 40 people.
- Transport between Port-au-Prince and the Southern departments has been halted with the bridge of Road 9 preventatively blocked off to disable raids by gang members.
- It is reported in selected media that a key port in Port-au-Prince was recaptured from the gangs by the National Haitian Police Force (PNH) and Kenyan officers on 17 July. The port had been in the hands of the gangs since 6 March. However, this information is not confirmed from Haïti.
- 30 people, including two former members of Jovenel Moïse’s government, have been indicted for the massacre in La Saline in November 2018 in which 71 people were killed.
- In Haiti’s Northeast Department, public hospitals are severely understaffed and under-resourced, forcing patients to endure long waits and inadequate care, prompting many to seek expensive and still substandard private healthcare, or cross into the Dominican Republic for better services.
- Between March and July 2024, the number of internally displaced children in Haiti increased by 60%, with over 300,000 children facing displacement and nearly 5 million Haitians experiencing acute hunger.
- A new Chief Inspector General of the PNH has been appointed, Frantz Thermilus.
- Sunrise Airways will resume flights to Jérémie in the second week of August.
Situation on the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission
- The second contingent of around 200 Kenyan police officers arrived in Haiti on 16 July.
- Ongoing protests in Kenya have led to the resignation of the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome. It is not yet clear whether it will have an impact on the MSS mission.
- Kenyan police officers together with officers from the National Haitian Police force (PNH) have been patrolling the streets in Port-au-Prince, including in the downtown area which has been plagued by gang violence.
- The U.S. announced that they would provide an increase in the number of armoured vehicles to the MSS mission. They also announced that they would provide an additional 60 million U.S. dollars in humanitarian aid through USAID.
International situation
- The United Nations Security Council has extended the mandate of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) for another year, reflecting ongoing international efforts to address the country’s political and security challenges.
- During the meeting, the Security Council asked Member States to cooperate with inspecting cargo to Haiti to prevent the illicit arms trafficking and diversion.
- The U.S. ambassador to the UN visited Port-au-Prince on 22 July to meet members of the Haitian transitional government and the Kenyan police officers.
- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced the extension of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from August 4, 2024, to February 3, 2026. The extension allows eligible Haitians already in the U.S. to apply for protection and work authorization.
Links of interest
Haiti – FLASH : The Government declares a state of emergency, start of operations (video PM address to the Nation)
Significant seizure of ammunition
3 bandits killed, around ten injured and several arrested
Ganthier : The police station partially burned
Gressier, Léogâne, Ganthier: PNH Operations on Multiple Fronts
UN women report: Addressing Haitian women’s particular needs through their leadership role
Boat fire off Haiti kills at least 40 migrants, UN says
Insécurité: Le transport vers le grand Sud totalement à l’arrêt
Kenyan police in Haiti take over port after fierce clash with gangs
La Saline massacre : Duplan and Monchéry indicted
Residents in northeastern Haiti struggle to find care amid inadequacies in healthcare system
One Child Every Minute Displaced By Violence In Haiti
Frantz Thermilus installé comme nouvel inspecteur général en chef de la PNH
Sunrise Airways : Resumption of flights to Jérémie
A New Batch of Kenyans Arrives in Port-au-Prince
Kenya police chief resigns after criticism over protest crackdown
Haitian and Kenyan Officers Patrol the Streets of Port-au-Prince
Haiti – Security : The American Ambassador announces a significant increase in the number of armored vehicles
Haiti – USA : The American Government announces $60M in humanitarian aid for Haiti
Security Council Extends Mandate of United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti for One Year, Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2743 (2024)
Haiti: US ambassador visits Kenyan police, announces additional funds
Secretary Mayorkas Announces Extension and Redesignation of Haiti for Temporary Protected Status
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.