PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – A devastating assault by a notorious gang in Pont Sondé, Haiti, has left at least 70 individuals dead, according to a statement by a UN human rights office spokesperson. The attack occurred Thursday, when gunmen armed with automatic rifles opened fire on unsuspecting residents.
The victims included 10 women and three infants as the Gran Grif gang rampaged through the town.
“Gang members reportedly set fire to at least 45 houses and 34 vehicles,” leading to a mass exodus of residents fleeing for their safety, emphasized a spokesperson in a statement released from Geneva.
The spokesperson called for a “prompt and thorough investigation” into the tragedy, urging authorities to hold those responsible accountable and ensure reparations for the victims and their families.
Escalating Human Rights Violations
This brutal attack occurs amidst rampant gang violence that has triggered a sharp increase in human rights violations and widespread internal displacement throughout Haiti.
More than 700,000 people have been displaced due to crime-related violence, positioning Haiti as the country with the highest displacement figure globally.
This mass displacement has engendered significant insecurity, with nearly half of Haiti’s 11.9 million civilians currently in urgent need of humanitarian aid.
The reach of gang violence has expanded from the capital, Port-au-Prince, into remote rural regions, featuring a disturbing array of assaults including sexual violence, kidnapping, looting, roadblocks aimed at intimidation, and forced recruitment into armed gangs.
Urgent Call for Action
In response to the escalating crisis, there is a pressing need for heightened support and solutions for Haitians impacted by violence and insecurity, particularly those who have been forcibly displaced.
“Now more than ever, Haitians need our collective support, and we cannot turn a blind eye,” emphasized a representative after a three-day visit to the nation. “Increased funding, enhanced security, and international solidarity are essential to providing life-saving humanitarian assistance and restoring stability and hope in Haiti.”
Despite the urgent need for assistance, funding for Haiti’s humanitarian response remains critically low. The 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan, which seeks $674 million, is currently only 39 percent funded.
There is an urgent appeal for the international community to bolster its support to address immediate humanitarian needs and to find sustainable solutions for displaced populations in Haiti.
