In a recent report, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) highlighted that a staggering 90% of individuals displaced by violence are seeking refuge with host families, while the remainder find shelter in alternative locations such as schools. T
he harrowing attack in Pont-Sondé, which unfolded in the dead of night last Thursday, forced many residents to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. “Gang members entered our homes, shooting and looting before setting them ablaze. I had just enough time to grab my children and escape under the cover of darkness,” recounted Sonise Mirano, a 60-year-old now living in a makeshift camp in St. Mark.
The aftermath of the assault left the streets of Pont-Sondé littered with bodies, many victims having been executed with headshots. Bertide Harace, a spokesperson from a local commission aimed at dialogue and reconciliation, reported initially finding 20 bodies but noted that this number rose as more areas were surveyed. Among those tragically killed were a young mother, her newborn child, and a midwife.
In response to this brutality, Prime Minister Garry Conille vowed that those responsible would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. “We must detain these criminals, try them fairly, and incarcerate them. They must be held accountable for their actions so that justice may be served for the victims,” he declared during an address in Saint-Marc.
This incident has drawn widespread condemnation from international entities including the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. Both have expressed horror and denunciation towards this escalation of gang violence against Haitian citizens.
Following the attack, an elite police unit was dispatched from Port-au-Prince to Pont-Sondé alongside medical supplies aiming to support the beleaguered local hospital system. Prime Minister Conille confirmed police would maintain presence until peace is restored; however, he admitted uncertainty over how long this operation might take.
This surge of violence has exacerbated displacement within Haiti – particularly within its vital Artibonite region known for its agricultural production – marking one of the most significant upsurges since gang-related violence began intensifying. An October 2nd statement from IOM revealed over 700,000 people are internally displaced across Haiti—over half being children—a 22% increase since June alone.
Port-au-Prince is especially hard-hit; it houses approximately one-quarter of all displaced persons within overcrowded conditions lacking basic amenities. Those fortunate enough to find refuge with hosting families face severe hardships such as food scarcity and limited access to healthcare services due to overwhelmed facilities.
he harrowing attack in Pont-Sondé, which unfolded in the dead of night last Thursday, forced many residents to flee their homes with little more than the clothes on their backs. “Gang members entered our homes, shooting and looting before setting them ablaze. I had just enough time to grab my children and escape under the cover of darkness,” recounted Sonise Mirano, a 60-year-old now living in a makeshift camp in St. Mark.
The aftermath of the assault left the streets of Pont-Sondé littered with bodies, many victims having been executed with headshots. Bertide Harace, a spokesperson from a local commission aimed at dialogue and reconciliation, reported initially finding 20 bodies but noted that this number rose as more areas were surveyed. Among those tragically killed were a young mother, her newborn child, and a midwife.
In response to this brutality, Prime Minister Garry Conille vowed that those responsible would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. “We must detain these criminals, try them fairly, and incarcerate them. They must be held accountable for their actions so that justice may be served for the victims,” he declared during an address in Saint-Marc.
This incident has drawn widespread condemnation from international entities including the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights and the European Union. Both have expressed horror and denunciation towards this escalation of gang violence against Haitian citizens.
Following the attack, an elite police unit was dispatched from Port-au-Prince to Pont-Sondé alongside medical supplies aiming to support the beleaguered local hospital system. Prime Minister Conille confirmed police would maintain presence until peace is restored; however, he admitted uncertainty over how long this operation might take.
This surge of violence has exacerbated displacement within Haiti – particularly within its vital Artibonite region known for its agricultural production – marking one of the most significant upsurges since gang-related violence began intensifying. An October 2nd statement from IOM revealed over 700,000 people are internally displaced across Haiti—over half being children—a 22% increase since June alone.
Port-au-Prince is especially hard-hit; it houses approximately one-quarter of all displaced persons within overcrowded conditions lacking basic amenities. Those fortunate enough to find refuge with hosting families face severe hardships such as food scarcity and limited access to healthcare services due to overwhelmed facilities.
