Over 40,000 Displaced by Gang Violence in Haiti

A recent surge in gang violence in Port-au-Prince has led to the displacement of over 40,000 people in just ten days, marking the largest wave of displacements in two years, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The violence, attributed to the gang coalition 'Viv Ansanm', has forced many residents to flee their homes multiple times, contributing to a total of over 700,000 displaced individuals in Haiti. Amid escalating security concerns, international aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, are suspending operations and evacuating personnel, with the United Nations also reducing its staff in the area. The humanitarian crisis is compounded by long-standing political instability and the presence of armed gangs involved in widespread violence, including kidnappings and murder. The UN has described the situation as a test of collective responsibility, as many Haitians feel abandoned without adequate support. Calls for a new peacekeeping operation are being debated at the UN Security Council, reflecting the dire need for intervention in Haiti.