Violent Gangs Plague Carrefour-Feuilles: Thousands Flee as Haiti’s Insecurity Crisis Worsens

2023-08-18 03:51:19

Carrefour-Feuilles is a strategic district for the gangs, which control a large part of this poor country ravaged by insecurity.

The gang behind the attack, led by Renel Destina (or Ti Lapli), looted and burned houses. Some of the victims were killed with automatic weapons.

Thousands fled the violence

Since the beginning of the week, this violence has caused the flight of more than 5,000 people according to Jerry Chandler, director general of the Haitian Civil Protection. They left Carrefour-Feuilles on foot, on motorbikes or crammed into cars, some trying to carry a handful of personal belongings, a suitcase on their heads or mattresses on the roof of the car. Among them, “women, children, old people”, explained Jerry Chandler.

These thousands of displaced have found refuge in schools or a sports center, others in the street, with or without makeshift tents for shelter. The authorities announced Thursday that they have started distributing hot meals and drinking water to the victims.

Also read: Haiti welcomes Kenya’s announcement that it is ready to lead a multinational force

Haiti has been stuck for years in a deep economic, security and political crisis, which has reinforced the hold of gangs. These armed gangs control regarding 80% of the Haitian capital and violent crime is frequent.

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