Haiti's capital struggles with gang violence as international help arrives
Gang attacks in Port-au-Prince force residents to flee their homes. Police warn of losing control over the city‚ as international support arrives to help tackle the violence
Port-au-Prince‚ Haitiʼs capital city is facing a tough time due to gang attacks. Yesterday‚ many people had to leave their homes because of gunshots that went on all night in different parts of the city. The police havent said how many people got hurt or died.
The police union in Haiti is worried. They said on social media that if they dont stop the bad guys in Solino and Nazon‚ the whole city might be taken over by gangs. They wrote‚ “If theres no measures against the criminals who are taking control in Solino and Nazon we will lose the entire capital“ The union also said that the government wont be able to do its job if they cant make things safer.
Two days ago‚ gangs shot at people in Solino St. Michel‚ Tabarre 27 and other areas. At least one woman died. Because of all this fighting‚ they had to move the swearing-in of Haitiʼs new election council to a safer place.
Some help is coming from other countries. Six people from the Bahamas came to Haiti yesterday. Theyʼre part of a bigger group thats trying to stop the gang fighting. This group is led by police from Kenya and has support from the UN. More soldiers from the Bahamas (about 150) will come in the next few months.
Its not clear why the gangs started attacking now. But a few days ago‚ police from Haiti and Kenya worked together to fight a gang called 400 Mawozo. They killed at least 20 people they thought were in the gang.
Gangs are a big problem in Port-au-Prince — they control 80% of the city. But some areas like Solino are trying hard to keep the gangs out
