World
Foreign Assistance Arrives in Haiti to Combat Gang Violence
Foreign assistance has been deployed to Haiti to address the escalating issue of gang violence, aiming to provide support and resources to combat the growing threats to the community.
After a plea for help from Haiti’s prime minister over a year and a half ago, foreign law enforcement officers have finally started arriving in the Caribbean nation to address the rampant gang violence crisis. Since the plea was made in October 2022, the United Nations reported over 7,500 deaths due to violence, with more than 2,500 fatalities occurring this year alone.
With Haiti’s presidency vacant and the national government weakened, numerous gangs have seized control of a significant part of the capital, Port-au-Prince. They have imposed roadblocks, carried out kidnappings, killings, and launched attacks on entire neighborhoods, leading to the displacement of about 200,000 individuals between March and May, as per the U.N.
An initial group of 400 Kenyan police officers has been dispatched to Haiti to confront the gangs, in a mission primarily coordinated by the Biden administration. These Kenyan officers constitute the first wave of an anticipated 2,500-member international force comprising police officers and soldiers from eight different countries.
Addressing the officers on Monday, President William Ruto of Kenya emphasized the significance of their mission, stating, “You are undertaking a vital mission that transcends borders and cultures. Your presence in Haiti will bring hope and relief to communities torn apart by violence and ravaged by disorder.”
The Kenyan officers are tasked with various critical objectives, including regaining control of the country’s main port and liberating major highways from criminal groups that extort money from drivers.