Haiti reports 53% surge in murders and injuries with 2505 victims in Q1

Haiti has recorded more than 2505 victims of murder or injury during the first quarter of 2024, which is 53% more compared to late 2023. The United Nations Integrated Office (BINUH) in Haiti released the data while saying that it is the most violent period since at least the start of 2022 in the country.

Clashes between gangs have become more violent and frequent in Haiti as they are attempting to expand their territorial control which result in killing of common people.

According to the BINUH report, around 590 individuals were killed during police operations, and many of these were said to be not involved in any type of gang violence. It also added that at least 141 people were killed by vigilante justice groups.

Also, over 4600 inmates escaped from the two main prisons in the capital, Port-au-Prince, and at least 22 police stations were looted and set on fire, with 19 officers being killed.

The UN Report mentioned that most of the violence took place in the capital city while at least 438 individuals were kidnapped across the wider West Department as well as the agricultural Artibonite region.

On the other hand, at least 82 children, some as young as six years old, were killed or injured during the first quarter of this year, noted the BINUH.

The office said that gang members continued to carry out rapes against women and girls in rival neighbourhoods, prisons, and displacement camps.

While citing an example, they reported that on March 29, 2024, Village De Dieu gang members entered the Gymnasium Vincent and took two girls aged 3 and 12, following which they collectively raped them in a nearby area, where they abandoned them afterward.

In addition to this, as of mid-March 2023, at least 160,000 people have been displaced and are said to be staying with friends and relatives. This is because people aim to escape danger every day, and they are living with basic services, including limited drinking water and sanitation.

The officials are expressing their concern over the major surge in criminal activities which continues to take lives and affect minds of people of every age.