Haiti Expands State of Emergency Nationwide Amid Gang Violence and Humanitarian Crisis
Haiti has expanded its state of emergency to cover the entire country as it faces escalating gang violence. The Haitian government is struggling against powerful gangs that control much of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and are spreading their influence to other areas.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Haiti to meet with Prime Minister Garry Conille and discuss steps to support the country’s transition to democracy. Conille’s government, which was formed three months ago, has been working to restore order amidst the chaos.
The United Nations reports that nearly 580,000 people in Haiti have been displaced by the ongoing conflict, and almost five million are suffering from severe hunger.
The situation has worsened recently, with more than a million people in Port-au-Prince left without electricity after protesters attacked a power plant to protest frequent power cuts.
In March, armed gangs freed about 3,700 prisoners from Haiti’s largest jails. To address the violence, an international force of 400 Kenyan police officers has been deployed, with a total of 2,500 officers from various countries planned to join.
The US is a major supporter of a UN-backed mission aimed at tackling gang violence in Haiti, highlighting the severe impact of the crisis. The BBC provides ongoing coverage of these developments.
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgwv0232ppo