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Situation in Haiti
- 104 gang members have been killed and 65 arrested under the state of emergency which was declared in 14 communes in Haiti. In addition, 19 firearms, seven vehicles, 9.24kg of cocaine and five fugitives were apprehended during police operations.
- Several gangs operating in Cité-Soleil concluded a peace agreement. The gang leaders Jimmy Chérizier, alias Barbecue, Mathias and Gabriel met to seal the deal. Walls that had been erected on roads between neighbourhoods have been taken down improving mobility in the area.
- Clashes took place between the Haiti National Police Forces (PNH) and gang members storming the commune of Gressier. According to the mayor of the commune, over 70 gang members were killed in the exchange of fire.
- Haitian and Kenyan police forces undertook an operation in Ganthier on 25 July. They were able to secure the area for a day, but the 400 Mawozo gang moved back in after the police forces left.
- The customs office in Ganthier was set on fire by gang members of the 400 Mawozo gang on 4 August. They also barricaded the bridge at the entrance of the commune, impeding access to Ganthier.
- An exchange of fire between gang members and a Kenyan officer took place near the Port-au-Prince main seaport on 30 July. A truck driver was killed in the process, whilst the Kenyan officer and several gang members were injured.
- Gang members of the “Viv Ansanm” gang coalition opened fire on the State University Hospital of Haiti on 29 July, which was being visited by Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille at the time. The Prime Minister was able to leave unharmed.
- Repeated attacks from the Gran Grif gang on Pont-Sondé in July are raising fears regarding the gang’s ambition to control the region.
- 1.379 people were killed or injured and 428 kidnapped between 1 April and 30 June, according to the latest BINUH report on the human rights situation in Haiti. Over 80% of killings and injuries happened in the West department, whilst 73% of kidnappings took place in Arbonite.
- The high number of casualties in the capital is related to gang attacks, as well as gang executions, clashes between “self-defence” groups and gangs, and the excessive use of force during police operations.
- 27 Children were killed between April and 30 June, with 22 more injured. The recruitment of children into gangs and “self-defence” groups has continued.
- Rape and gender-based violence increased in the last months, namely in gang-controlled areas and IDP sites. The youngest reported rape victime was a three-year-old girl. Women and girls in gang-controlled areas are often forced into sexual relationships with gang members.
- Prisons in Haiti are overcrowded and experiencing shortages of food, hygiene products and medicines. The lack of care, food and clean drinking water has led to the death of 78 inmates. The situation is especially bad in the prisons of Jérémie and Petit Goâve.
- Members of the judiciary are targets of threats and attacks, with five magistrates and lawyers killed between April and June in the Artibonite and North departments.
- The Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) made progress in a number of investigations against senior government officials. Recently, an investigation was launched into allegations of bribery solicitation involving three presidential advisors.
- Over 60,000 Haitian migrants were repatriated to Haiti in June according to the Support Group for Repatriates and Refugees (GARR).
- There have been several cases of anthrax identified in Petit-Goâve.
- A large sanitary operation is taking place in Tabarre supported by the Tabarre Municipal Council, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM-Haiti) and USAID. The aim of the operation is to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and reduce the risk of flooding in the region.
- Dozens of Haitian beneficiaries of the Humanitarian Parole programme faced disappointment at Toussaint Louverture International Airport on 6 August as their travel authorizations were invalidated by U.S. immigration authorities following the programme’s suspension.
Situation on the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission
- The MSS mission has enabled the takeover of the general hospital, the seaport, the city of Ganthier, and roads connecting the international airport and the seaport, according to Godfrey Otunge, the Commander of the Multinational Force led by Kenya.
- A one-month linguistic and intercultural capacities development training was launched in Haiti for members of the MSS mission on 5 August. Kenyan officers also undertook a foot patrol in Port-au-Prince to engage with the local population on 1 August.
- Another contingent of officers from Kenya and other countries is set to arrive in the coming days, according to the Dominican Republic’s Foreign Minister.
International situation
- A Chinese military attaché visited the border between Haiti and the Dominican-Republic near Dajabon-Ouanaminthe. The purpose of the visit is still unclear.
- Haiti announced their official membership in the CARICOM Reparations Commission, during the 47th Ordinary Meeting of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of CARICOM Member States.
- India sent humanitarian aid, including 9 tons of medical supplies to Haiti on 29 July. The EU has approved an additional 40 million euros in aid for 2024 to support security, agricultural production, and education. They have also reopened their offices in Port-au-Prince.
Links of interest
Haiti – PNH report : 104 bandits killed in two weeks (Video)
Cité Soleil Gangs : Peace Agreement, Massacre among bandits
Cité Soleil : des gangs rivaux font la paix
Humanitarian : India sends 9 tons of medical supplies
Gangs fled a Haitian town as Kenya force moved in. But only for a day
After Targeting the Police Station, Gangs Blaze Customs Offices in Ganthier
A Kenyan police officer injured in exchange of gunfire with gangs in Haiti
Haitian PM Garry Conille escapes gang attack at general hospital
La ville de Saint-Marc menacée par le gang Gran Grif de Savien
QUARTERLY REPORT ON THE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN HAITI
Haiti – FLASH : 3 presidential advisers in turmoil, scandal or conspiracy ?
More than 60,000 Haitians returned to Haiti (June 2024)
Haiti – ALERT : Anthrax, Haiti takes the first health measures
Tabarre : Vast sanitation operation
Programme Biden: incertitude et désolation pour les bénéficiaires
Security : “Relative improvements”, Kenyans do public relations with the people, More contingents are arriving
Kenya police in Haiti to learn French and Haitian Creole for easier operations
Chinese military at the border
Haiti – France’s Debt : Haiti Officially Joins CARICOM Reparations Commission
EU : 40 million euros additional
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.